ENGLISH
REFERENCE

be to do with sb/sth

idiom.
B1 Intermediate Oxford

idiom. to be connected to or about a specific person or thing.

idiom. to have a connection with or relate to a subject; used to describe the nature of a relationship or the cause of a situation.


SIMPLE

The problem is to do with the computer's battery.

CONTEXTUAL

I think her bad mood today is to do with the argument she had this morning.

COMPLEX

The recent decline in local biodiversity is largely to do with the destruction of natural habitats for urban expansion.

Usage

often used with 'nothing', 'something', or 'a lot' to show the degree of connection.

Teaching tip

this is a very common spoken alternative to 'relate to' or 'be about'; it is useful for explaining causes without using formal academic language.

Pitfall

It is to do about the money.It is to do with the money.the preposition 'with' is fixed in this expression; do not replace it with 'about'.

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