doing just that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing just that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are speaking about someone taking an action oriented towards a goal they have set. For example, "John is determined to achieve his goal of becoming a doctor, and he is doing just that by studying hard and taking all the necessary classes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Decreasing mind-wandering is doing just that".

The New York Times

After at first doing just that, he grimly gave way.

The Economist

And he died doing just that: aiding a troubled veteran.

The New York Times

Why don't all banks make huge spreads doing just that?

Forbes

I feel very comfortable doing just that".

Los Angeles Times

She is doing just that.

The New York Times

Some are doing just that.

The Economist

Guess who's doing just that.

The New York Times

Many private colleges are doing just that.

The New York Times

Williams has been doing just that.

Independent

"I think he's doing just that.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing just that" to succinctly refer back to a specific action or intention previously mentioned, avoiding unnecessary repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "doing just that" multiple times in a single paragraph. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "doing just that" is as a substitute for a previously mentioned action or activity. It acts as a concise way to refer back to something that has already been discussed, avoiding repetition. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doing just that" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that an action is being performed as previously stated or intended. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. With a 'Very common' frequency and frequent usage in 'News & Media', it serves as a concise way to avoid repetition and emphasize the fulfillment of a plan. While generally neutral in register, it may be substituted with more formal alternatives in specific contexts. Remember to use the phrase judiciously to avoid redundancy, and consider using alternatives like "acting accordingly" or "executing as intended" for added variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acting accordingly

Replaces "doing just that" with a more formal expression that conveys the same idea of acting in agreement with what was mentioned previously.

executing as intended

Focuses on the successful implementation of a specific intention or purpose.

following through as planned

Emphasizes the element of planning and execution, highlighting the consistency between the initial plan and the actual action.

putting that into practice

Highlights the practical application of an idea or concept.

fulfilling that purpose

Focuses on the achievement of a specific goal or aim.

living up to that

Implies meeting a certain expectation or standard, rather than simply performing an action.

in the process of doing so

Emphasizes that the action is ongoing or in progress.

carrying out said action

A more formal and somewhat redundant way of saying "doing just that", which is often used in legal or official contexts.

making it so

Highlights the realization of a desired outcome or state.

actually doing it

Adds an element of surprise or emphasis that the action is really happening or has happened.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "doing just that" in a sentence?

Consider using alternatives such as "acting accordingly", "executing as intended", or "following through as planned" depending on the context.

Is "doing just that" suitable for formal writing?

While "doing just that" is acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "acting accordingly" or "fulfilling that purpose" might be more appropriate for highly formal writing. However, in most news and general writing, the phrase is suitable.

What does "doing just that" actually mean?

"Doing just that" means performing the action that was previously mentioned or intended. It indicates that someone is carrying out a specific plan or objective.

Can "doing just that" be replaced with a pronoun?

In some cases, you can replace "doing just that" with a pronoun like "it" or "so", but be sure the reference is clear. For example, instead of "He promised to help, and he's doing just that", you could say, "He promised to help, and he's doing so" or "He promised to help, and he's doing it".