are doing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are doing that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or behavior that someone is currently engaged in. Example: "I see that you are doing that project we discussed last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Increasingly, pitchers are doing that better.

The New York Times - Sports

"I suspect they are doing that again".

The New York Times

"We are doing that," Mr. Faraone said.

The New York Times

But we are doing that already.

The New York Times

Not all companies are doing that, of course.

The New York Times

"Whenever you are doing that, you're riding the fine line.

The New York Times - Sports

But it's not as if shareholders are doing that well.

The New York Times

Brave people are doing that work right now".

The New Yorker

"The unnamed generals are doing that job for us".

The New York Times

Perhaps some members of Congress are doing that right now.

The New Yorker

But they are doing that instead of paying property taxes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are doing that" when you want to emphasize that an action is currently in progress. Ensure the context clearly defines what "that" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "are doing that" without a clear antecedent for "that". Ensure your audience understands what specific action or task you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are doing that" functions as a verb phrase in the present continuous tense. It describes an action that is currently in progress. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are doing that" is a commonly used phrase in the present continuous tense to describe an ongoing action. It's grammatically correct and primarily found in news and media contexts, as supported by the many examples found by Ludwig AI. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by clearly defining the reference of "that". For more formal settings, alternatives like "are engaged in that" or "are undertaking that" may be more appropriate. Overall, "are doing that" is a useful phrase for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are currently doing that

Adds emphasis to the present moment of the action.

are engaged in that

Replaces the simple verb "doing" with a more formal phrase, suggesting active involvement.

are working on that

Focuses on the effort and labor being put into something.

are performing that action

Emphasizes the execution of a specific action.

are undertaking that

Implies a more significant or formal endeavor.

are in the process of doing that

Highlights the ongoing nature of the activity and the state of progress.

are occupied with that

Focuses on the engagement and attention dedicated to the action.

are handling that

Suggests managing or dealing with a specific task or situation.

are taking care of that

Implies responsibility and attention to detail in completing the action.

are seeing to that

Indicates ensuring that something is done properly and completely.

FAQs

How can I use "are doing that" in a sentence?

Use "are doing that" to indicate a current activity. For example: "If we "are doing that", we are doing our jobs".

What's a more formal alternative to "are doing that"?

Consider using "are engaged in that" or "are undertaking that" for a more formal tone.

Is "are doing that" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "are doing that" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Opt for more precise language to clearly define the action being described.

What is the difference between "are doing that" and "are working on that"?

"Are doing that" is a general statement about an action, while "are working on that" specifically implies effort and progress towards a goal.