as doing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as doing something" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe the action of performing an activity. For example, "I saw him walking down the street, as singing a song."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Because making a speech, and having a plan, are not the same as doing something.

The Economist

Initially, students see productivity as doing something with their hands or collecting new data.

Nature

"He just wants to be seen as doing something right now".

The New York Times

But knowing what is going on is not the same thing as doing something about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

The act was passed hastily, viewed as a cheap way for a Congress to be seen as doing something — anything!

The New York Times

Reluctant to ruffle feathers while eager to be seen as "doing something," they increasingly embrace the same subterfuge.

The New York Times

But for most, the imperative was to be seen as doing something about the recovering, but still anemic, job market.

The New York Times

I think we're all too anxious to be seen as doing something," said Rep. Kay Granger (R-Tex.).

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The temptation to be seen as doing something is tremendous".

The New York Times

"Let's be clear - Cuomo and Christie acted in the interest of being perceived as 'doing something' highly visible even though those actions will not make anyone safer," he writes.

BBC

As these options were frequently perceived as 'doing something' vs 'doing nothing', patients felt that their illness gave them no choice but to undergo treatment.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "as doing something" to describe simultaneous actions or to provide context to an event that is occurring. It often clarifies the timing or manner in which an action is performed.

Common error

Avoid using "as doing something" when describing actions that are not happening at the same time. It is important to ensure that the action described by "doing something" is directly related and concurrent with the main action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as doing something" functions as a conjunctional phrase, linking two actions and indicating that they occur simultaneously. It modifies the main clause by providing additional context about the timing or manner of the action. Ludwig's examples show how often it's used to describe concurrent activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as doing something" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to describe simultaneous actions, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it serves to provide descriptive context by emphasizing the simultaneity of events. While generally neutral in register, it can occasionally lean towards a more formal or literary style. Remember to use it when actions are clearly concurrent to avoid misinterpretations and sentence awkwardness. When in doubt, Ludwig AI suggests considering more common alternatives like "while doing something".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while performing an action

This alternative highlights the simultaneity of actions, emphasizing that something is happening during another action.

when undertaking a task

This alternative emphasizes the process of beginning and carrying out a task.

in the act of performing

This alternative focuses on the specific moment when the action is being executed.

during the execution of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the completion of a task or action.

whilst engaged in activity

This alternative is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing concurrent actions.

as it carries out activity

This alternative focuses on the process of executing a particular activity.

in the course of action

This alternative suggests the unfolding of events as something is being done.

while implementing a process

This alternative emphasizes the systemic approach to a particular task.

during the operation of

This alternative implies a procedure or mechanism is in effect.

as performing a function

This alternative focuses on the purpose or role of the action being carried out.

FAQs

How can I use "as doing something" in a sentence?

You can use "as doing something" to show that an action is happening simultaneously with another. For instance, "He smiled, as waving goodbye" indicates he smiled while waving.

What are some alternatives to "as doing something"?

Alternatives include "while performing an action", "when undertaking a task", or "in the act of performing", which all convey a similar sense of simultaneous action.

Is there a difference between "as doing something" and "while doing something"?

"As doing something" and "while doing something" are very similar, but "while doing something" is more common and often preferred. "As doing something" can sometimes sound slightly more formal or literary.

When is it inappropriate to use "as doing something"?

Avoid using "as doing something" if the actions are not clearly happening at the same time or if the sentence becomes awkward. In such cases, using "while", "when", or separating the actions into two distinct clauses might be clearer.