by their doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by their doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the actions or behaviors of a group or individuals that lead to a certain outcome or effect. Example: "The team improved their performance by their doing of regular practice sessions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When you work with actors who have been onstage for 40 years, the work's been done by their doing it every night".

The New York Times

Which, of course, is why the relics of the old order, led by Mr Prabowo, had to oppose them.No one expects Mr Prabowo and his allies to provide a rubber stamp for Jokowi's policies, nor would Indonesia be well-served, in the long-term, by their doing so.

The Economist

In Flanders Fields, the very poem that inspired the poppy, which the Royal British Legion promulgates without the least irony, exhorts us as the war dead's successors to "Take up [their] quarrel with the foe", never to ask why "foes" need to see themselves as such, or whose interests are served by their doing so.

The Guardian

A coordination game occurs whenever the utility of two or more players is maximized by their doing the same thing as one another, and where such correspondence is more important to them than whatever it is, in particular, that they both do.

SEP

90 Rawlinson p334 It happened also amid this disorder that certain Phoenicians whose ships had been destroyed came to the king and accused the Ionians of treason, saying that it was by their doing that the ships had been lost; the end of which matter was, that the Ionian captains were not put to death, and those Phoenicians who accused them were rewarded as I will show.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Keep practicing the 3 Don'ts, and you will continue to attract people who are also ruled by THEIR Don'ts.

Huffington Post

The attempt to meet their need is a greater good than my or your cultural taste not being upset by their do-gooding.

The Guardian - Music

The leaders and especially owners are fantastically busy and under pressure by their own doing.

Forbes

But guns by their nature do not mix with this experiment — they don't mix with taking offense.

The New York Times

Firms are also monopsonists and wages set up by their neighbors does not matter anymore.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Such courage at the net by their opponents did for Murray and Nadal.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by their doing", ensure the subject and pronoun clearly refer to the responsible party, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "by their doing" when it's unclear who "their" refers to. For example, instead of "Mistakes were made by their doing", clarify: "Mistakes were made by the team's doing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by their doing" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating causation or agency. It specifies that a certain outcome is a direct consequence of the actions undertaken by a particular group or individuals. Ludwig examples, although not extensive, support this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by their doing" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to attribute consequences to actions undertaken by a group. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, "by their doing" occurs infrequently and finds its primary use in news, scientific, and academic writing. For clarity, ensure the referent is always well defined. Consider alternatives such as "through their actions" or "as a result of their efforts" to enhance readability and precision. The phrase has neutral-to-formal register making it suitable for analytical and professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through their actions

Emphasizes the process or series of actions taken.

as a result of their efforts

Highlights the exertion and work involved.

due to their undertaking

Focuses on a specific task or project they engaged in.

because of their involvement

Stresses participation and connection to the outcome.

owing to their agency

Highlights the capacity, condition, or state of being in or at work.

by virtue of their conduct

Emphasizes the way someone acts, especially towards other people.

through their implementation

Focuses on the act of putting something into effect.

stemming from their initiative

Highlights the act or ability to assess and initiate things independently.

resulting from their deeds

Highlights action or achievement of importance.

as a consequence of their work

Emphasizes the paid occupation or activity by which someone makes a living.

FAQs

How can I use "by their doing" in a sentence?

Use "by their doing" to indicate that a result or consequence occurred because of someone's actions. For example, "The project succeeded "through their actions", demonstrating the effectiveness of "by their doing".

What are some alternatives to "by their doing"?

You can use alternatives like "through their actions", "as a result of their efforts", or "because of their involvement" depending on the specific context.

Is "by their doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "by their doing" is grammatically correct. Ludwig confirms its validity and usage in diverse contexts, even though it may not be the most common phrasing.

What's the difference between "by their doing" and "by them doing"?

"By their doing" emphasizes the action performed by a group. "By them doing" is grammatically questionable and less common. It's usually better to use alternatives like "through their actions".