action has done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "action has done" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers due to its awkward construction. Example: "The action has done more harm than good."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That action has done little to tamp down the unrest.

The New York Times

Pyongyang's action has done nothing but tarnish the country's image among Japanese".

The New York Times

The Business Call to Action has done a particularly good job of expanding the greater development network beyond the usual suspects.

The Guardian

The International Monetary Fund and the European Union agreed on Sunday to rescue Ireland with a $111 billion program, after a similar bailout of Greece last spring, though neither action has done much to alleviate fears that the contagion will spread.

The New York Times

One sees why the liberal embrace of affirmative action has done nothing to dispel the Democratic Party's image as elitist, and why the conservative claim that affirmative action waters down educational quality has not been accompanied by any conspicuous flight from universities.

The New York Times

Because when people finally wrap their heads around what your lack of action has done to our economy, you'd better have a jock strap made of titanium.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Finally, in response to an international outcry, the drug companies abandoned the case, but not before the action had done lasting damage to their public image.

The Guardian

Judge Anne Molyneux told the protester, Trenton Oldfield, 36, that he had acted dangerously, and that his action had done nothing to redress the elitism he gave as his motive in court.

The New York Times

The report added the lack of action had done a great disservice to the Pakistani community.

BBC

However, most states that banned affirmative action have done so too recently to be contained in our data13.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Such actions have done little to change the economic issues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "action has done". Instead, opt for more grammatically correct alternatives such as "action has been taken", "the action was performed", or "the action is complete" for clearer and more professional writing.

Common error

The phrase "action has done" often results from a misunderstanding of active versus passive voice. Remember that "has done" typically requires a subject performing the action. To correct this, use the passive voice ("action has been done") or rephrase to clarify the subject and verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "action has done" functions as a noun phrase with a verb component, aiming to describe a completed action. However, it is grammatically flawed, as highlighted by Ludwig, requiring adjustments for correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "action has done" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers due to its awkward construction. While examples exist, opting for alternatives like "action has been taken" or "action has been completed" ensures clearer and more professional communication. Although present in various sources, primarily News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, its incorrect grammar makes it less suitable for formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the action is finished

Simply states that the action is complete.

action has been taken

Replaces the active voice with a passive construction, focusing on the completion of the action.

action was performed

Uses "performed" to denote the execution of an action, highlighting its completion.

action has been completed

Emphasizes the finished state of the action.

steps have been taken

Highlights the progression of actions, implying completion and impact.

measures have been implemented

Focuses on the implementation of specific measures rather than a general action.

work has been done

Emphasizes the completion of work or effort rather than a specific action.

efforts have been made

Highlights the exertion of effort to achieve a particular outcome.

intervention has occurred

Replaces "action" with "intervention", suggesting a more direct or forceful action.

the deed is done

Uses a more figurative and emphatic way to express that something has been completed.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "action has done"?

The phrase "action has done" is grammatically incorrect. You can correct it by using phrases like "action has been taken", "the action was performed", or "the action is complete".

What are some alternative phrases for "action has done" that emphasize completion?

To emphasize completion, consider using phrases like "action has been completed", "steps have been taken", or "measures have been implemented".

Is "action has done" ever considered correct in specific contexts?

While occasionally found, "action has done" is generally not considered correct in standard written English. It's best to use grammatically sound alternatives to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

What's the difference between "action has done" and "action has been done"?

"Action has done" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. "Action has been done" is a passive construction indicating that an action has been completed by an unspecified actor. This passive voice is more grammatically sound.