Have to Do With – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever heard someone ask, “What does this have to do with the meeting?” or say, “My comment has nothing to do with politics”? In English, the phrase have to do with is used to show that two things are connected—or not. It’s a clear, everyday way to talk about relevance, relationships, or subject matter.
What Does “Have to Do With” Mean?
“Have to do with” means to be related to or connected with something. It’s used to explain the topic, cause, or subject of a situation. Think of it like drawing a line between two ideas: if they’re linked, they “have to do with” each other. If not, they “have nothing to do with” each other.
When to Use It
Use “have to do with” in neutral or explanatory conversations:
• When clarifying a topic: “This email has to do with your application.”
• When denying a connection: “My lateness has nothing to do with traffic.”
• In questions about relevance: “What does your hobby have to do with your job?”
It’s common in speaking, writing, meetings, and classroom discussions. Avoid it in very formal academic writing (where “relate to” or “concern” may be preferred), but it’s perfect for real-life English.
Example Sentences
- This decision has a lot to do with company policy.
- Her success has everything to do with hard work.
- I don’t see what that comment has to do with our discussion.
- Does this form have to do with insurance?
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Why are we talking about budgets now?”
Jamie: “Because it has to do with the new hire—they’ll affect our monthly costs.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “have to do with” to describe actions or tasks—use it only for connections or relevance. Also, remember the correct structure: [Subject] + has/have + (something) + to do with + [topic]. Never say “has to do in” or “has to deal with” when you mean “related to.”
❌ Don’t say: “This has to do in marketing.”
✅ Do say: “This has to do with marketing.”
✅ Do say: “His anger has nothing to do with you.”
Practice Tip
Next time you hear a comment or read a message, ask yourself: “What does this have to do with ______?” Or explain something clearly: “This has to do with your account settings.” Using the phrase to check or show relevance builds fluent, logical English.
Final Note
Now you can use “have to do with” to clarify connections, deny false links, and stay on topic—with precision and confidence. It’s a practical phrase that shows you understand how ideas fit together. Keep listening for it in meetings, news, and everyday chats. You’re not just learning English—you’re learning how people make sense of the world. Keep going—you’ve got this!