akin to doing

USAGE SUMMARY

'akin to doing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something similar to an action that has already been mentioned, or to suggest a comparison. For example, "Preparing for the show was akin to doing a marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

GERARD HOULLIER suggests that moulding a successful side is akin to doing a jigsaw puzzle.

The Times

They want not an immersive experience, but a time filler, akin to doing a crossword, says Ben Wood of Gartner, a consultancy.

The Economist

This is akin to doing a cost analysis of the Clean Air Act without trying to account for the value of your kids being able to breathe.

The Economist

Being in a manufactured pop group must feel odd, and more akin to doing as you're told by record label executives than being an expressive artist.

The Guardian - Music

But adhering to an approach that overlooks these factors is akin to doing away with fire departments, on the grounds that without them people would be more careful – and so there would then be no fires.

The Guardian - Business

Many people were also enraged by Kuhn's description of most scientific activity as mere "puzzle-solving" – as if mankind's most earnest quest for knowledge was akin to doing the Times crossword.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

But the reality is far more complex, more akin to "don't ask, don't tell" than a state-sponsored witch hunt.

The New York Times

Now, however, Ryan was privately urging Akin to do the Party a favor and drop out of the Senate race, a call that Romney echoed on the stump, though neither demanded that Akin quit the House, where, after all, he is firmly in the Republican mainstream.

The New Yorker

Unknown singles, akin to Do Anything You Say, would include Stoppard's Enter a Free Man, a 1968 stage adaptation of an earlier script, and A Walk on the Water, which was the first full-length play he wrote, although the second to be performed, after Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.

The Guardian

"It should not be lost on anyone that some of the only voices not calling for Congressman Akin to do the right thing and step aside are Claire McCaskill and the leaders of the pro-abortion movement," fumed the Republican National Senatorial Committee in a statement that belongs in a parallel universe.

The Guardian

Your response would be met with something akin to: "Does.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "akin to doing" to draw parallels between two actions, particularly when one action helps explain or contextualize the other. It's effective for analogies.

Common error

Avoid using "akin to doing" when comparing something to a state of being or a static object. It should only be used when comparing actions or processes, not qualities or things.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "akin to doing" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a comparison. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests a similarity between a subject and a specific action, often serving to clarify or provide a better understanding of the subject by relating it to something more familiar.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "akin to doing" serves as a useful prepositional phrase for drawing comparisons between actions or processes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in professional and neutral contexts. While it is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources, its purpose is to clarify a subject by associating it with a recognizable action. Remember to use it when comparing actions, not objects or states. Related phrases such as "similar to doing" and "comparable to doing" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to doing

Replaces "akin" with "similar", a more common synonym, maintaining the comparison to an action.

comparable to doing

Uses "comparable" to emphasize the degree of similarity between two actions.

analogous to doing

Employs "analogous" to suggest a parallel or correspondence in function or appearance.

tantamount to doing

Indicates that the action is virtually equivalent or has the same effect.

equivalent to doing

Highlights that the actions are equal in value or significance.

resembling the act of doing

More verbose but clarifies the comparison to the act itself.

like performing the action of

Breaks down the phrase to emphasize the performance of a specific action.

on par with doing

Suggests that the actions are at the same level or standard.

in the same vein as doing

Implies a similarity in style, manner, or approach.

bearing a resemblance to doing

Formal and emphasizes the visual or apparent similarity.

FAQs

What does "akin to doing" mean?

The phrase "akin to doing" suggests that something is similar to or resembles a particular action. It's used to draw a comparison and highlight similarities.

How can I use "akin to doing" in a sentence?

You can use "akin to doing" to compare an action or process to another, often to explain or provide context. For instance, "The experience was "akin to doing" a complex puzzle".

What are some alternatives to "akin to doing"?

Alternatives include "similar to doing", "comparable to doing", or "analogous to doing". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "akin to doing" and "similar to doing"?

While both phrases indicate resemblance, "akin to doing" often implies a deeper or more fundamental similarity than "similar to doing", which is a more general comparison.