do housework

Meaning

This phrase refers to doing tasks around the home to keep it clean and tidy, such as washing dishes, vacuuming, or dusting. Note that 'housework' is an uncountable noun and is different from school 'homework'.

Examples

• We usually do housework on Saturday mornings so the house is clean for the weekend.

  We usually do housework on Saturday mornings so the house is clean for the weekend.

• I don't mind doing housework if I can listen to music while I clean.

  I don't mind doing housework if I can listen to music while I clean.

• My roommate and I share the chores, so we both do housework.

  My roommate and I share the chores, so we both do housework.

• She spent the whole afternoon doing housework and washing clothes.

  She spent the whole afternoon doing housework and washing clothes.

• I have so much housework to do today, starting with the kitchen floor.

  I have so much housework to do today, starting with the kitchen floor.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to make housework today.

  ✓ I need to do housework today.

  We always use the verb 'do' with 'housework', never 'make'.

• ✗ I have many houseworks to finish.

  ✓ I have a lot of housework to do.

  'Housework' is an uncountable noun. It cannot be pluralized as 'houseworks' or used with 'many'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I hate to ___ on my day off, but the kitchen is a complete mess.

  💡 clean the house

  Show answer

  do housework

• If we all help to ___, we can finish cleaning much faster.

  💡 do home cleaning tasks

  Show answer

  do housework