did this

USAGE SUMMARY

"did this" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it in the sentence "John was surprised when he found out that his colleague had done this."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Pirates did this".

The Economist

Japan did this, brilliantly.

Independent

Everyone did this.

The New York Times

She did this regularly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Suppose everybody did this?

The New York Times - Magazine

did this time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Do this.

Independent

Do you do this?

The New York Times

Does this do that?

The Guardian - Tech

He does this free.

The New York Times

Go ahead, do this".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did this" in a question, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity about what "this" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "did this" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the reader knows exactly what "this" refers to in the context; otherwise, specify the action or event directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did this" functions as a pro-verb phrase, standing in for a verb and its associated action. This allows for concise reference to a previously mentioned action, avoiding repetition and maintaining flow. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

29%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did this" is a versatile pro-verb phrase used to refer back to a previously mentioned action or event. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, ranging from news articles to academic papers. While generally neutral in register, clarity is key when using "did this" to ensure the reader understands the reference. Alternatives like "accomplished this" or "achieved this" can provide more specific meanings depending on the context. Ensuring clear reference is crucial to avoid ambiguity in writing and to maintain the reader's understanding. News & Media and Academia are the contexts with the highest percentage of usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accomplished this

Replaces "did" with "accomplished", emphasizing the successful completion of an action.

achieved this

Similar to "accomplished this", but focuses on the attainment of a goal or result.

executed this

Implies a more formal or planned action, suggesting careful execution.

performed this

Suggests the completion of a task or activity, often in a specific manner.

carried this out

Emphasizes the process of completing something, often over a period of time.

brought this about

Focuses on causing something to happen or come into existence.

caused this

Highlights the direct causation of a particular event or situation.

made this happen

A more emphatic way of saying something was brought about, often implying effort.

handled this

Suggests managing or dealing with a situation or task effectively.

took care of this

Indicates responsibility for and completion of a task or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "did this" in a sentence?

You can use "did this" to refer back to a previously mentioned action or event. For example, "The company launched a new product, and it was their marketing team who "did this"."

What are some alternatives to using "did this"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "accomplished this", "achieved this", or "executed this" to provide a more specific meaning. For example, instead of saying "He "did this"", you might say "He "accomplished this" through hard work".

Is it grammatically correct to end a sentence with "did this"?

While grammatically correct, ending a sentence with "did this" can sometimes sound informal. Ensure that the context is clear and that the reader understands what "this" refers to. If clarity is an issue, rephrase the sentence to be more explicit.

What's the difference between "did this" and "done this"?

"Did this" is used in the simple past tense, while "done this" is used in the present perfect tense. For example, "He "did this" yesterday" (simple past) versus "He has "done this" before" (present perfect).