doing nothing but

USAGE SUMMARY

"doing nothing but" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that there is no other activity or focus besides what is mentioned: Example: "Instead of studying for the upcoming exam, she was doing nothing but watching Netflix."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Guy's doing nothing but bodywork," Tank said.

The New York Times - Sports

I been doing nothing but playing online.

The New Yorker

"We've been doing nothing but hiding".

The New York Times

Two years doing nothing but asking questions!

The Guardian - Books

We're doing this because we've been doing nothing but policing".

The New York Times

"I have an expert team doing nothing but light design".

The New York Times

"Kind of doing nothing, but thinking about the show".

The Guardian - Film

10 23 A.M. I'm doing nothing but getting ready.

The New Yorker

Basically I'm not doing nothing but laying around and resting.

The New York Times - Sports

We spent an entire day doing nothing but bowing and doing honor.

Yale University

Them laws [i.e., highway patrols] don't bes doing nothing but riding around and drinking coffee.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing nothing but" to clearly convey a singular focus or a lack of diverse activities. This phrase effectively emphasizes the exclusion of other actions.

Common error

While versatile, "doing nothing but" can sound informal in highly formal writing. Consider stronger, more precise vocabulary like "exclusively" or "solely" for professional or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing nothing but" functions as a connector, emphasizing the exclusivity of an action or state. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates that no other activity is taking place. This is evident in examples like "We've been doing nothing but hiding."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing nothing but" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the exclusivity of an action, as confirmed by Ludwig. It’s versatile, fitting comfortably in news articles, casual conversations, and creative writing. While it might be less suitable for strictly formal academic or professional contexts, its widespread usage makes it a valuable addition to your linguistic toolkit. Remember, it’s all about emphasizing the singular focus or monotonous nature of the described action. Ludwig's examples show this in action, providing a clear understanding of its proper application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusively doing

Focuses on the exclusivity of the action, similar to "doing nothing but".

solely engaged in

Highlights the singleness of the activity being pursued.

only occupied with

Emphasizes the state of being busy with just one thing.

entirely focused on

Stresses the complete concentration on a single task.

just doing

Simplifies the expression to indicate the sole activity.

merely performing

Highlights the simplicity and limitation of the action.

simply spending time on

Focuses on how time is spent, limiting it to one activity.

consumed by

Indicates a state of being completely absorbed in one activity.

devoting all effort to

Emphasizes the dedication and focus on a single endeavor.

completely absorbed in

Highlights the total immersion in a specific activity, leaving no room for others.

FAQs

How can I use "doing nothing but" in a sentence?

Use "doing nothing but" to indicate that someone is only performing one action and no other. For example, "During the vacation, I was "doing nothing but reading" novels."

What are some alternatives to "doing nothing but"?

You can use alternatives such as "exclusively doing", "solely engaged in", or "only occupied with" to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

Is "doing nothing but" always grammatically correct?

"Doing nothing but" is generally grammatically correct, but its appropriateness depends on the context. While acceptable in most situations, it may sound less formal than alternatives such as "exclusively" or "solely" in academic or professional writing.

What is the difference between "doing nothing but" and "just doing"?

"Doing nothing but" emphasizes that no other actions are being performed, while "just doing" simply highlights the action being done. "I'm "doing nothing but relaxing"" suggests complete inactivity apart from relaxing. "I'm "just relaxing"" indicates that relaxing is the primary activity, but doesn't necessarily exclude other minor actions.