doing precisely that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing precisely that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is performing a specific action or task exactly as described or intended. Example: "If you want to improve your skills, you should focus on doing precisely that every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And as an increasing number of commentators deliver the verdict that his posturing risks doing precisely that, what of the millions of people stuck on the wrong side of the moat?

The Guardian - Opinion

His chances of doing precisely that were enhanced by a result which leaves Sunderland a point ahead of Newcastle United with a game in hand on their north-east rivals.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet the very universities that peddle this theory so confidently also gleefully undermine it by doing precisely that: over one year and over ten, their endowment funds beat the S&P 500 and hammer most other institutional investors, including pension funds.The final figures for the most recent fiscal year will be out next week.

The Economist

But what is new here is not the slush funds, the cash-for-political-favours, the brown envelope discreetly slipped into a pocket, or the nonprofit organisation that collects money for disabled children and diverts it to a personal account in Belize (yes, the king's son-in-law is accused of doing precisely that).

The Guardian - Opinion

Unsurprisingly for such a bold move, Google's statement – that it would no longer be bowing to Chinese censorship, having spent four years doing precisely that – has sparked debate amongst my esteemed friends and colleagues in the blogosphere.

TechCrunch

And the Sanders supporters pictured here at Drake University were doing precisely that: Getting people to go stand in the spot that would indicate their vote for Bernie. .

Vice

Older men, some interested in doing precisely that but most not, denigrate their own value because they no longer fit the mold of what supposedly defines a gay man -- when in reality they simply outgrew the constricting mold of someone else's idea of what "gay" means.

Huffington Post

They've been doing precisely that over recent months.

The New York Times

Republicans have blasted the Democrats' proposals for doing precisely that.

The New York Times

Now, as our special report describes, they are doing precisely that.

The Economist

Yet the Fed is doing precisely that when it accepts triple-A rated mortgage securities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing precisely that" to clearly and concisely indicate that an action is being performed exactly as previously described or intended, avoiding any ambiguity.

Common error

While "doing precisely that" is grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in very informal writing, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "doing just that" or "doing exactly that" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing precisely that" functions as a verbal phrase that refers back to a previously mentioned action, indicating that the action is being carried out in the exact manner described. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doing precisely that" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the exact execution of a previously mentioned action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While generally neutral in tone, it can occasionally lean towards formality. It's commonly found in news, business, and scientific writing. For more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "doing exactly that" or "doing just that" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "doing precisely that" when emphasizing accuracy and adherence to a specific method or instruction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing exactly that

Replaces "precisely" with "exactly", maintaining the same meaning with a slight variation in emphasis.

doing just that

Uses "just" instead of "precisely", offering a more informal and concise alternative.

executing precisely that

Substitutes "doing" with "executing", adding a more formal and technical tone.

performing precisely that

Replaces "doing" with "performing", which can be more appropriate in certain formal contexts.

carrying out exactly that

Replaces "doing" with "carrying out", providing a slightly more descriptive alternative.

fulfilling that exactly

Uses "fulfilling" to emphasize the completion or achievement of a specific action.

accomplishing precisely that

Substitutes "doing" with "accomplishing", highlighting the successful completion of the action.

achieving exactly that

Uses "achieving" to emphasize the attainment of a specific goal or outcome.

doing it verbatim

Emphasizes doing something in an exact, word-for-word manner.

replicating that exactly

Focuses on creating an identical copy or repetition of a specific action or process.

FAQs

How can I use "doing precisely that" in a sentence?

You can use "doing precisely that" to indicate that someone is performing an action or task exactly as described or intended. For example, "The manual instructs users to install the software in a specific way, and the technician is "doing precisely that"".

What are some alternatives to "doing precisely that"?

You can use alternatives like "doing exactly that", "doing just that", or "performing precisely that" depending on the context.

Is "doing precisely that" formal or informal?

"Doing precisely that" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly formal. While grammatically correct in most contexts, it may sound somewhat stilted in very informal situations. Use alternatives like "doing just that" for a more casual tone.

What's the difference between "doing precisely that" and "doing exactly that"?

The difference between "doing precisely that" and "doing exactly that" is minimal. "Precisely" implies a higher degree of accuracy and attention to detail, while "exactly" suggests conformity to a standard or requirement. In most cases, they are interchangeable.