doing so that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing so that" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It is not commonly used and may not convey a clear meaning in most contexts. Example: "I will be doing so that I can improve my skills."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And since India has no intention of doing so, that means America will stay away.

The Economist

And in doing so, that person will become only the neighborhood's third congressman since 1945.

The Washington Post

"Common sense," Farrell said, and he had no intention of doing so that evening anyway.

The New York Times

What service are you providing by doing so, that makes you so justified in throwing accusations of selfishness around?

The Guardian

It's about how you manage those differences and whether you have a style for doing so that is successful".

The New York Times

And given voters' willingness to experiment with novel policies, and their record of relative restraint in doing so, that cannot be all bad.

The Economist

If the private market is not doing so, that might be because of regulatory constraints (planning laws) which can be reformed.

The Economist

And in doing so, that helps us get out of some of the fundamentally wrong assumptions that we could be making.

Harvard Business Review

"Henry always used to tell us, 'Describe what you're doing so that your grandmother can understand why you're doing it why it's important,' " she said.

University of Chicago

In doing so, that person manifests a corrupted desire, a desire for what is evil, the material aspect of the bodily.

SEP

The school was authorized to dictate secondary education classes on 30 January 1995, and started doing so that same year, with the first class graduating in 1998.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "doing so that" is frequently used, consider replacing it with more formal alternatives such as "in order to" or "so as to" in academic or professional writing to improve clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "doing so that" excessively in formal documents. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less sophisticated. Opt for varied sentence structures and alternative expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing so that" functions as a purpose clause connector, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. It introduces a subordinate clause that explains why something is being done. As Ludwig AI suggests, while common, it may not be the most formal choice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

23%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doing so that" serves as a connector indicating purpose or intent. While commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, Ludwig suggests that it leans towards a neutral to informal register. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "in order to" or "so as to". Be mindful of overuse, and ensure clarity by choosing the most direct expression of purpose. Ludwig AI's analysis helps refine your writing choices based on context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to do that

Replaces "doing so that" with a more explicit purpose-driven construction.

so as to do that

Uses an alternative conjunction to express the purpose of the action.

to that end

Offers a more concise and formal way of indicating the intended outcome.

with the intention of doing that

Emphasizes the intent behind the action, making the purpose more pronounced.

for that purpose

Provides a direct and clear indication of the reason for the action.

so that one can do it

Expresses a reason in a more detailed construction.

that way

Offers a simpler and more informal alternative, implying a method or manner.

in doing this

Focuses on the action itself, rather than the purpose.

by acting in such a way

Emphasizes the manner of acting to achieve a specific result.

thus doing it

Indicates a consequence or result of a prior action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "doing so that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, replace "doing so that" with alternatives such as "in order to", "so as to", or "with the aim of". These options provide greater clarity and sophistication in academic or professional writing.

Is "doing so that" grammatically correct?

While "doing so that" is commonly used and generally understood, it's often considered less formal. In contexts where precision and formality are important, it's best to opt for more explicit and grammatically structured alternatives.

When is it appropriate to use "doing so that"?

"Doing so that" is suitable for informal writing or conversational contexts. However, for formal reports, academic papers, or professional communications, it's advisable to use more precise and structured phrases.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "doing so that"?

A common mistake is overusing "doing so that" in formal contexts. This can make writing sound repetitive and less polished. Another error is using it in situations where a clearer, more direct expression of purpose would be more effective. Consider using phrases like "to achieve this" or "for this purpose".