doing as told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing as told" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of following instructions or commands given by someone else. Example: "In the military, discipline is crucial, and soldiers are expected to be doing as told without question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'm simply doing as told: fetch this, return that, please clear the hillsides of any roaming wildlife by attaching them, terrified, to a Fulton recovery balloon.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"And they usually do as told".

The New York Times - Magazine

telegram back to do as told.

The New Yorker

I did as told, but not before I turned to him and said: "Don't pull the plug too soon.

The New York Times

US officials strongly implied that aid to Haiti would be cut if the government didn't do as told.

The Guardian - Opinion

I did as told, one crinkled tissue and contact-lens case and string of dental floss at a time.

The New Yorker

Newman, who was guarding the Sonics' inbounder, Chuck Person, did as told, and Person, a great outside shooter, wound up hitting a wide-open 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The New York Times - Sports

The Internet service providers said they merely did as told.

Huffington Post

"STAY OUT OF MY DOORWAY!" I did as told and tried not to shout back when I told her, "I'm sorry, but I can't leave.

Vice

Come up with good characters that will survive the wizarding world and be in the environment to do as told or needed.

WikiHow

So I'm doing as they told me and it has helped me (Interview L, age 61, Kildare A, August 6 2010).

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doing as told", ensure the context clearly indicates who is giving the instructions and who is following them. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "doing as told" without specifying who is giving the instructions. Ambiguity can arise if the source of the instructions is not clearly identified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing as told" functions as a verbal phrase indicating compliance or obedience to instructions. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English and serves to describe the act of following commands.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing as told" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes the act of following instructions or commands. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a functional phrase that often appears in various contexts, including news, media, and general writing. While not extremely common, the phrase is clear and effective in conveying obedience and compliance. For alternatives, consider "following instructions", "obeying orders", or "complying with directives". When using "doing as told", ensure that the source of instructions is clear to avoid ambiguity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable and readily understood in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following instructions

Focuses on the act of adhering to specific guidelines.

obeying orders

Emphasizes a hierarchical relationship and the fulfillment of commands.

complying with directives

Highlights adherence to official guidelines or instructions.

acting under instruction

Stresses that actions are performed based on commands given.

carrying out commands

Focuses on the execution of specific orders or directives.

adhering to guidelines

Highlights the act of sticking to set rules or recommendations.

being compliant

Emphasizes a general state of obedience and willingness to follow instructions.

doing what is requested

Focuses on fulfilling specific requests made by someone.

acting accordingly

Suggests adapting one's behavior in response to given instructions.

heeding instructions

Implies paying attention to and following the provided guidance.

FAQs

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

You can use "doing as told" to describe someone following instructions or orders. For example, "The soldiers were "doing as told" by their commanding officer".

What are some alternatives to "doing as told"?

Alternatives include "following instructions", "obeying orders", and "complying with directives".

Is it better to say "doing as told" or "doing what I was told"?

"Doing as told" is a more concise and general way of expressing obedience. "Doing what I was told" is more specific and emphasizes the personal aspect of receiving instructions.

In what contexts is "doing as told" most appropriate?

"Doing as told" is suitable in contexts where obedience and adherence to instructions are important, such as in the military, workplace, or educational settings.