Uses of to do Grammar Monster "to do" Be or Do? do 1 of 6 verb ˈdü did ˈdid dəd ; done ˈdən ; doing ˈdü-iŋ ; does ˈdəz transitive verb 1 : to bring to pass : CARRY OUT do another's wishes it is my earnest desire to know the will of Providence … and if I can learn what it is I will do it Abraham Lincoln 2 : PUT — used chiefly in do to death had been hounded down and done to death as heretics Stringfellow Barr 3 a : PERFORM , EXECUTE do some work did his duty b : COMMIT crimes done deliberately 4 a : BRING ABOUT , EFFECT trying to do good do violence b : to give freely : PAY do honor to her memory 5 : to bring to an end : FINISH — used in the past participle the job is finally done 6 : to put forth : EXERT did her best to win the race 7 a : to wear out especially by physical exertion : EXHAUST at the end of the race they were pretty well done b : to attack physically : BEAT also : KILL 8 : to bring