and then doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and then doing" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used in informal contexts, but it typically requires a preceding clause to make sense. Example: "I finished my homework and then doing the dishes seemed like a good idea."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It consists of jogging for 10 to 20 minutes, stretching, and then doing strides.

The New York Times - Health

I mean, to be the son of George Martin and then doing all the Beatles stuff?

The Guardian - Music

He is also looking at setting up a habitat in space and then doing orbital flights.

The Guardian

Instead of beating Mike into unconsciousness and then doing worse, Smith stops throwing punches.

The New York Times - Magazine

And then doing it all again on the large number of mini games.

The Guardian - Tech

Somewhere on the horizon were plans for "doing Latin America", and then "doing Asia".

The Guardian - Tech

I thought of taking a few of you, and then doing this".

The New Yorker

And then doing it again and again, any opportunity we had, swept up in a hunger like none since.

The New Yorker

Well, perhaps you should be asking, "What makes a bad sentence?" and then doing none of those things.

The New Yorker

Learning how to interrupt one's reaction pattern – and then doing that over and over – can reshape behaviour.

Independent

Trent returned to performing, starring in a touring version of High Society and then doing solo concerts.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "and then doing" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "and then I did", "and then proceeded to do", or "and then did".

Common error

A frequent mistake is using "doing" after "and then" without a proper auxiliary verb or subject. Remember to include a subject and a conjugated verb to form a complete clause. For example, instead of "I finished my homework and then doing the dishes", write "I finished my homework, and then I did the dishes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and then doing" typically functions as a conjunction linking two actions in a sequence. However, it often creates a grammatically incomplete clause because "doing" requires a preceding auxiliary verb (e.g., "is", "was"). Ludwig AI highlights the grammatical issues, recommending complete verb phrases.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "and then doing" is frequently encountered, especially in news and media, Ludwig AI points out that it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The issue stems from the incomplete verb phrase, as "doing" requires an auxiliary verb. It's best practice to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "and then I did" or "and then proceeded to do", especially in formal writing. While common, its correctness is disputable, therefore careful rewording is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and next doing

A simpler alternative, replacing 'then' with 'next'. Less formal than "and subsequently doing".

and subsequently doing

Replaces 'then' with 'subsequently', offering a more formal tone while retaining the sequential meaning. Focus is more on time sequence.

and afterwards doing

Substitutes 'then' with 'afterwards', emphasizing the temporal sequence of actions. Similar in formality to "and subsequently doing".

and after that doing

More explicit about the temporal relationship between actions.

and proceeded to do

Uses 'proceeded to do' to emphasize the continuation of actions in a formal way. More suitable when referring to a deliberate sequence of steps.

and following that doing

Emphasizes the sequence of events. Slightly more verbose but clearer.

and from there doing

Indicates a transition point from one action to another. Suitable when describing a journey or progression.

and upon doing that

Suggests that an action immediately follows another. More formal and somewhat emphatic.

and consequently doing

Highlights the result or consequence of the initial action. Adds a logical connection.

and as a result doing

Similar to "and consequently doing", focusing on the outcome of the first action. Provides a causal link.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "and then doing" in a sentence?

Ensure there's a subject and a conjugated verb following "and then". For example, change "He warmed up and then doing some stretching" to "He warmed up, and then he did some stretching" or "He warmed up and then stretched".

What are some alternatives to "and then doing"?

Consider using phrases like "and subsequently doing", "and afterwards doing", or simply restructuring the sentence to use a complete verb phrase.

Is "and then doing" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "and then doing" is not considered correct in standard written English and is better replaced with a complete clause or a different structure.

In what contexts might I encounter "and then doing", even though it's grammatically questionable?

You may find "and then doing" in informal speech or writing, but it's best to avoid it in formal contexts. In these scenarios, restructuring the sentence ensures clarity and correctness.