By doing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "By doing that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you have done something and want to explain why it was done. For example: "I was able to increase my sales by doing that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"By doing that, the message is muddled".

The New York Times

"By doing that, it makes you almost impossible to attack.

The New York Times

"By doing that you are cooking on layers of smoke.

Independent

By doing that, Obama could seize control of the debate.

The New York Times

By doing that, he has not made us less safe.

The New York Times

"By doing that, it makes them feel more different.

The New York Times - Health

"By doing that, somehow you improve the nature of your coverage..

The New Yorker

By doing that, he could avoid being the next Walter Mondale — but he couldn't win.

The New Yorker

By doing that major thing, we have nothing that keeps us separate.

The New York Times

"By doing that, it set our bar high for CGI," he said, referring to computergenerated imagery.

The New York Times

By doing that, you would be able legitimately to organise services to meet the need".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by doing that" to clearly link an action with its consequence, ensuring a smooth flow of ideas.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "by doing that". Vary your sentence structure to prevent monotony and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by doing that" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a purpose connector. It links an action with its intended outcome or consequence, clarifying the reason behind the action. Ludwig provides examples that illustrate this connector function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by doing that" is a versatile connector used to link an action to its result. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its function is primarily to explain the reason behind an action, making it useful across various contexts from news reporting to scientific writing. While it's considered neutral in register, it's important to avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Alternatives such as "consequently" or "in so doing" can provide variety and sophistication. Ludwig's examples confirm its role as a purpose connector, clarifying the intended outcome of an action and reinforcing its correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In so doing

More formal way of saying "by doing that", often used in legal or official contexts.

As a result

Directly indicates the outcome or effect of a previous action.

Thereby

Implies that something is achieved as a direct consequence.

In that way

Refers to a manner or method by which something is accomplished.

Consequently

This single word replaces the entire phrase with a direct indication of result.

Through that action

Focuses on the specific action that leads to a particular result.

By means of that

Highlights the method or instrument used to achieve a result.

By that method

Emphasizes the specific procedure or technique used.

That being done

Highlights the completion of an action and its subsequent impact.

On that account

Provides a reason or justification for the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "by doing that" in a sentence?

"By doing that" is used to explain the result or consequence of a particular action. For example, "He studied diligently; by doing that, he improved his grades."

What are some alternatives to using "by doing that"?

You can use alternatives like "as a result", "consequently", or "in so doing" depending on the context.

Is "by doing that" formal or informal?

"By doing that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "in so doing" exist for academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "by doing that" and "by doing this"?

"By doing that" refers to a previously mentioned action, while "by doing this" refers to an action that is currently being performed or is about to be performed. The choice depends on whether you are referencing a past action or introducing a new one.