do shopping
Buy things from stores
Use `do shopping` to describe the general task or chore of buying things from stores.
En 15 secondes
- Buying items from stores as a general activity or chore.
- Commonly used for groceries, clothes, or household necessities.
- A neutral phrase suitable for friends, family, and coworkers.
Signification
This phrase describes the general activity of going to shops to buy things you need or want, like food or clothes.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Planning the weekend with a roommate
I need to do some shopping on Saturday morning.
I need to do some shopping on Saturday morning.
Updating a partner on household chores
Don't worry, I already did the shopping.
Don't worry, I already did the shopping.
A professional setting regarding office supplies
I will do the shopping for the office party supplies tomorrow.
I will do the shopping for the office party supplies tomorrow.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects the shift from daily market visits to the modern weekly supermarket trip. In the UK and US, 'doing the shopping' is a standard household chore often discussed in family planning. It has evolved recently to include 'online shopping' as a primary method.
The 'Some' Rule
Adding 'some' before 'shopping' makes you sound much more like a native speaker. 'I'm doing shopping' sounds okay, but 'I'm doing some shopping' sounds perfect.
Do vs. Go
Use 'do the shopping' for chores (groceries). Use 'go shopping' for fun or leisure (new shoes or gifts).
En 15 secondes
- Buying items from stores as a general activity or chore.
- Commonly used for groceries, clothes, or household necessities.
- A neutral phrase suitable for friends, family, and coworkers.
What It Means
Do shopping refers to the act of visiting stores to purchase items. It covers everything from buying milk to getting a new pair of shoes. It is a very common, everyday expression. You use it to describe the task rather than the specific items.
How To Use It
Use it when talking about your plans or chores. You can say I need to do some shopping or I did the shopping yesterday. It often takes the word some or the in the middle. If you are buying food, you usually say do the food shopping or do the grocery shopping. It is a flexible phrase for any retail errand.
When To Use It
Use this when chatting with friends about your weekend. It is perfect for telling your partner what chores are finished. Use it in a work context if you are buying office supplies. It is great for making lists or planning your day. It sounds natural in almost any daily conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for a single, specific item purchase. If you just bought a coffee, do not say I did shopping. Just say I bought a coffee. Avoid it in very high-level legal or academic writing. It sounds a bit too casual for a formal contract. Also, do not confuse it with go shopping, which is more about the fun experience.
Cultural Background
In many English-speaking cultures, doing the shopping is seen as a weekly routine. Saturday mornings are the most popular time for this. Many people now do shopping online from their sofas. It is a shared experience that everyone understands. It is often a topic of small talk about prices or busy stores.
Common Variations
Do the grocery shopping(buying food)Do some window shopping(looking without buying)Go shopping(focuses on the trip/fun)Get the shopping done(focuses on finishing the chore)Do a bit of shopping(buying just a few things)
Notes d'usage
The phrase is neutral and very common in daily life. Remember to use 'do' instead of 'make' to avoid a typical learner error.
The 'Some' Rule
Adding 'some' before 'shopping' makes you sound much more like a native speaker. 'I'm doing shopping' sounds okay, but 'I'm doing some shopping' sounds perfect.
Do vs. Go
Use 'do the shopping' for chores (groceries). Use 'go shopping' for fun or leisure (new shoes or gifts).
The 'Big' Shop
In the UK, people often refer to 'the big shop.' This is the massive weekly grocery trip that fills the entire fridge!
Exemples
6I need to do some shopping on Saturday morning.
I need to do some shopping on Saturday morning.
Using 'some' makes it sound more natural and casual.
Don't worry, I already did the shopping.
Don't worry, I already did the shopping.
Refers to the specific task of buying groceries.
I will do the shopping for the office party supplies tomorrow.
I will do the shopping for the office party supplies tomorrow.
Professional but direct for a workplace task.
Can't talk now, doing shopping! Talk later.
Can't talk now, doing shopping! Talk later.
Shortened for a quick text message.
I've been doing shopping for five hours and my feet hurt!
I've been doing shopping for five hours and my feet hurt!
Expresses exhaustion after a long activity.
I really need to do the shopping; there is nothing to eat.
I really need to do the shopping; there is nothing to eat.
Shows a sense of urgency or mild desperation.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
I usually ___ the shopping on Friday nights.
In English, we 'do' shopping, we don't 'make' it.
Select the most natural phrasing.
We need to do ___ shopping before the guests arrive.
'Do some shopping' is the most common way to express this activity.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Do Shopping'
Used with friends/family
Gotta do shopping, bye!
Standard daily use
I'm going to do the shopping now.
Professional setting
The staff will do the necessary shopping.
When to use 'Do Shopping'
Grocery Store
Doing the weekly food shop
Mall
Doing some clothes shopping
Online
Doing shopping on my phone
Office
Doing shopping for supplies
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsBoth are correct! Do shopping usually feels like a chore or task, while go shopping sounds more like a fun outing.
No, that is a common mistake. In English, we always use the verb do for this activity.
Usually, yes. Use the for regular groceries and some for general items like clothes. I'm doing the shopping vs I'm doing some shopping.
Yes, if you are discussing buying supplies. I will do the shopping for the event is perfectly professional.
It sounds a bit strange for one item. If you just bought a newspaper, say I bought a newspaper instead of I did shopping.
It specifically means buying food and household items at a supermarket. It is the most common way to use this phrase.
No, it is standard English. It is neutral and safe to use in almost any situation.
Yes! If someone calls you, you can say, I'm just doing some shopping right now.
Yes, it does. You can say, I'm doing some online shopping for a new laptop.
That is when you look at things in shop windows but don't actually buy anything. You can say I'm doing some window shopping.
Expressions liées
Go shopping
To go out with the intention of buying things, often for pleasure.
Grocery shopping
Specifically buying food and household necessities.
Shop around
To compare prices at different stores before buying.
Retail therapy
Shopping to make yourself feel happier.
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