alluding to doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alluding to doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a suggestion or indirect reference to an action or activity. Example: "His comments were alluding to doing something about the ongoing issues in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

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Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The latter four letters that you have alluded to do not correspond to any star category.

Cornell University

Hockey says he has never met Mr Ashby - and the discussion Slipper alluded to did not take place.

The Guardian

Sir, the seriousness of the Russian aggressions in our past elections and knowing that it'll be ongoing as senator King had alluded to, does — what's your concerns there?

The New York Times

There is the finding that F1 hybrids have altered crossover/non-crossover ratios, but this does not increase the overall level of crossovers, so the "mechanism" alluded to does not increase crossing-over.

eLife

That said, as I alluded to, they did add the element to make it easy to post photos outside of your social circle.

TechCrunch

As Dan Roberts alluded to, he did a fine job masking himself today.

The Guardian

There's a third problem, which Baer alludes to but does not really explore.

The New Yorker

The complaint also alluded to, but did not identify by name, TechnoDyne's top executives as co-conspirators.

The New York Times

Guantánamo should be closed, now, for all the "policy imperatives in favor of closure" that Ms. Daskal alludes to but does not spell out.

The New York Times

The stone base and curtain wall of metal panels and recessed glass allude to but do not overtly mimic classic SoHo materials and design.

The New York Times

The film also alludes to, but doesn't fully examine, the resentment created by Filin's policy of importing talented guest principals such as David Hallberg, whose presence in the company has further diminished opportunities for the Bolshoi's own.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alluding to doing" when you want to suggest an action without explicitly stating it, allowing for subtlety and indirect communication in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "alluding to doing" in situations that require direct and clear language. It's best suited for contexts where subtlety or indirectness is preferred, not where clarity is essential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alluding to doing" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It indicates an indirect reference to an action, suggesting something without explicitly stating it. Despite limited examples, Ludwig indicates grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "alluding to doing" is grammatically correct, it appears infrequently in common usage. According to Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable. It functions as a gerund phrase, serving to indirectly reference an action. While the phrase does not occur frequently, it can be valuable in situations where subtlety and suggestion are preferred over direct communication. Consider related phrases such as "hinting at doing" or "implying an action" if a more direct connotation is needed. The primary goal of this phrase is to create distance from the explicit action. Given all this, if writing should lean towards directness and transparency, "alluding to doing" might be avoided for alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alluding to undertaking

A slight alteration that removes the gerund form while retaining a similar meaning.

hinting at doing

Replaces "alluding" with "hinting", suggesting a more subtle indication.

hinting towards performing

Uses "hinting towards" with "performing" to suggest a direction of action.

implying an action

Focuses on the implied nature of the action, rather than the act of alluding.

suggesting involvement in

Specifies "involvement", adding a clearer connotation of participation.

suggesting to execute

Indicates a direction towards the execution of something, slightly more direct than "alluding".

referring indirectly to acting

Rephrases as an indirect reference to acting, maintaining a similar level of formality.

insinuating participation

Emphasizes a subtle and often negative suggestion of involvement.

alluding to the execution of

A more verbose alternative, focusing on the "execution" of something.

intimating the undertaking of

Uses "intimating" to convey a delicate or subtle communication about an undertaking.

FAQs

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

You can use "alluding to doing" when you want to indirectly suggest an action or involvement. For example, "The report was "alluding to doing" more research, but didn't explicitly say so."

What are some alternatives to "alluding to doing"?

Alternatives include "hinting at doing", "implying an action", or "suggesting involvement in". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "alluding to doing" and "referring to doing"?

"Referring to doing" is more direct, simply mentioning an action. "Alluding to doing" is more indirect, suggesting or hinting at the action without explicitly stating it.

When is it appropriate to use "alluding to doing" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to be subtle or indirect about an action. Avoid it when clarity is paramount, as more direct language may be more effective. For example, rather than "The memo was "alluding to doing" layoffs", use "The memo hinted at possible layoffs" for increased clarity.