I was doing some stuff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was doing some stuff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in informal contexts when referring to unspecified activities or tasks that were being carried out in the past. Example: "When you called, I was doing some stuff around the house and couldn't answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Oh, I was doing some stuff, doing some stunts," Santana said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm just doing a new one with Peter Himmelman this week and I'm doing some stuff with Peter Case after that.

Huffington Post

I swear he was doing some stuff I never even asked him to!

Independent

"Sometimes I was making my dad mad because I was doing some bad stuff, like kid's stuff," Gallinari said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was so much fun playing along to their records, jumping about in my bedroom imagining I was doing some sweaty gig with loads of "London" stuff happening, whatever that was.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm doing some weird stuff in the district because we are low on money," said the superintendent, Douglas Killian, sitting in an office full of Hippo figurines.

The New York Times

"I'm doing some important stuff, do you mind leaving the room for now?".

WikiHow

Be Shee to check out HuffPost Style on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Pinterest.

Huffington Post

I remember your mentor, Tommy West, was doing some amazing stuff there, and earlier with Jim Croce that has held up over time.

Huffington Post

But I was doing other stuff as well.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I was a toddler when I was doing stuff that grown teenagers were doing in the street," he says.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "I was doing some stuff" in informal conversation when you want to avoid specifying exactly what you were doing. It's a useful way to indicate activity without providing details.

Common error

Avoid using "I was doing some stuff" in formal writing or professional settings where clarity and specificity are valued. Provide concrete details about your activities to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was doing some stuff" functions as a clause element, specifically serving as a part of a sentence where the subject (I) performs an action (doing) that involves unspecified activities. Ludwig shows its usage in informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was doing some stuff" is a common way to vaguely describe past activities, typically in informal settings. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for casual conversations when specific details are unnecessary. While it's acceptable for everyday use, remember to avoid it in formal writing or professional communications, where precision is key. Alternatives like "I was handling a few things" or "I was occupied with some tasks" can offer a more refined tone when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was occupied with some tasks

Replaces "doing stuff" with a more formal phrase, "occupied with some tasks".

I was handling a few things

Substitutes "doing some stuff" with "handling a few things", implying management of tasks.

I was working on some projects

Replaces the vague "stuff" with the more specific "projects".

I was involved in several activities

Changes "doing some stuff" to "involved in several activities", indicating engagement in multiple actions.

I was engaged in various things

Replaces "doing some stuff" with "engaged in various things", suggesting active participation.

I was busy with a few matters

Substitutes "doing some stuff" with "busy with a few matters", implying preoccupation with issues.

I was taking care of certain duties

Replaces "doing some stuff" with "taking care of certain duties", indicating responsibility for tasks.

I was addressing several issues

Changes "doing some stuff" to "addressing several issues", suggesting problem-solving activities.

I was managing various responsibilities

Replaces "doing some stuff" with "managing various responsibilities", indicating oversight of tasks.

I was attending to numerous things

Substitutes "doing some stuff" with "attending to numerous things", implying focus on multiple items.

FAQs

How can I use "I was doing some stuff" in a sentence?

You can use "I was doing some stuff" when you want to vaguely refer to activities you were engaged in. For example, "Sorry I missed your call, "I was doing some stuff" around the house."

What can I say instead of "I was doing some stuff"?

You can use alternatives like "I was handling a few things", "I was working on some projects", or "I was occupied with some tasks" depending on the context.

Is "I was doing some stuff" too informal for professional communication?

Yes, "I was doing some stuff" is generally considered too informal for professional communication. Use more specific and professional language such as "I was completing several tasks" or "I was engaged in various activities".

When is it appropriate to use "I was doing some stuff"?

It's appropriate to use "I was doing some stuff" in casual conversations with friends, family, or close colleagues when you don't want to go into specific details about your activities.