doing its good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing its good" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a clear meaning, making it difficult to use effectively in communication. Example: "The initiative is focused on doing its good in the community."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I know from experience that's not necessary, but I know there is often healing to be done, beliefs to be released, to get that book written with relative ease and get it out in the world doing its good.

Huffington Post

Long after fitness regimes have faltered and unwanted gifts have gone to Oxfam, that new debit card will still be doing its good work.

The Guardian - Opinion

That collective noun takes the singular verb or pronoun, as in "a troop of Scouts is helping the old lady across the street, doing its good deed, whether she wants to cross the street or not".

The New York Times - Magazine

And it's possible that the brand Birkenstock is actually strengthened by a less conventionally corporate approach -- that is, that the company, in the long run, makes more money by doing its good works on the sly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This little molecule does its good work by paralyzing muscles: In the forehead it inactivates the frown-producing corrugators, while used elsewhere on the head and body it can alleviate migraine headaches, stop problem sweating and ease the spasticity associated with a range of neurological diseases.

The New York Times - Health

The United States, after all, has been doing its own good impression of life in the political sewers recently.

The New York Times

The central government backing the KPK when it comes under fire for doing its job is a good start.

Vice

I found the program's camera-based scanner to be good, doing its work quickly.

The New York Times

"The government has to start doing its part to make good on the college investment," Warren added.

Huffington Post

It does its job, and has good materials and details.

The Guardian - Arts

But even if it cannot shake off its new label, the hearings themselves may still do its cause some good.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "doing its good" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "doing good" or "making a positive impact".

Common error

The phrase "doing its good" incorrectly uses the possessive pronoun "its". Remember that "its" indicates possession, which doesn't logically apply to the abstract concept of "good". Instead, use "doing good", which is grammatically correct and widely understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing its good" is intended to function as a verbal phrase, aiming to describe an action that produces a positive outcome. However, due to its grammatical awkwardness, as pointed out by Ludwig, its intended function is obscured.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing its good" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable expression intended to describe actions with positive impacts. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as not correct in standard written English, recommending alternatives like "doing good" or "making a positive impact" for improved clarity and correctness. While it appears in various contexts, primarily in news and media, its usage is infrequent, and its grammatical awkwardness makes it less suitable for formal writing. To ensure clear communication, writers should opt for grammatically sound alternatives when expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing good

Omits the possessive pronoun "its", resulting in a grammatically correct and more common phrase.

making a positive impact

Replaces the vague "good" with a more specific and measurable outcome.

contributing positively

Focuses on the act of contributing, highlighting the positive nature of the contribution.

having a beneficial effect

Emphasizes the effect or outcome of the action, using more formal language.

serving its purpose well

Highlights the effectiveness in fulfilling a specific purpose or function.

performing its function effectively

Similar to 'serving its purpose well,' but with a focus on efficient performance.

achieving its objectives

Focuses on the successful attainment of goals or aims.

fulfilling its mission

Highlights the completion of a broader mission or purpose.

making a valuable contribution

Emphasizes the worth or significance of the contribution.

a force for good

This more idiomatic phrase indicates something that consistently has a positive influence.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "doing its good"?

The correct way to express a similar idea is to say "doing good", which is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

What does "doing its good" mean?

The phrase is intended to convey that something is having a positive effect or contributing in a beneficial way. However, the phrasing is grammatically awkward.

Are there alternatives to "doing its good"?

Yes, consider using phrases like "making a positive impact", "contributing positively", or simply "doing good" depending on the context.

Why is "doing its good" considered grammatically incorrect?

The possessive pronoun "its" implies ownership, which doesn't logically connect with the abstract concept of "good". "Good" is not something that can be owned in this context, hence the grammatical issue.