using "Do" for other verbs - informal?

[Hotmale]

Hello

I am wondering if sentences where do is replaced by a more precise verb are colloquial. Can I use such sentences in formal language?

He was doing 100 kph - do instead of drive

She did Russian at university - did intead of study

Have you done your teeth? - done instead of brushed

Thank you

 

[Bevj]

Phrases such as the ones you suggest are often heard, but yes, very informal and not used in formal settings.

 

[Hotmale]

Thank you, Bevj

 

[entangledbank]

I wouldn't say they were 'very' informal. Informal or colloquial, but not obviously wrong for more formal writing. I think, on reflection, I wouldn't use any of them in formal writing, but they wouldn't jar too badly.

 

[bibliolept]

It also depends on the case. I think that "doing 100 kph" would be acceptable in virtually any context, which I might not say for the other two examples.

 

[Hotmale]

Thank you

Is it correct to say: "This restaurant does tasty dinners"?

 

[sound shift]

Yes, you could say that.

 

[Hotmale]

But the typical collocation is to "make dinner", so why "do" in this case?

 

[panjandrum]

But the typical collocation is to "make dinner", so why "do" in this case?

In this instance, the typical collocation is more likely to be "serve dinner".
Why "do" in this case? Because, as you've pointed out, "do" can be used in place of very many more specific verbs.

I haven't thought about the formality/informality of this.
I suspect it depends a lot on the verb.
Hmmmm ... interesting topic

 

[Hotmale]

Thank you, Panjandrum

I thought that "do" in "This restaurant does tasty dinners" means "prepare" not "serve".