doing some reading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing some reading" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the activity of reading for pleasure, study, or research. Example: "In my free time, I enjoy doing some reading on various topics, especially history and science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I prepared by doing some reading.

The New York Times - Books

I started doing some reading and discovered that if you don't know a little science it was hard to follow these debates.

The New York Times - Science

"I was doing some reading, possibly research for a play of mine about strolling players in the 18th century," Mr. Greenspan said.

The New York Times

As it happens, I've been doing some reading about John Kennedy, and what I find startling, and even surprising, is how absolutely consistent and unchanged the ideology of the extreme American right has been over the past fifty years, from father to son and now, presumably, on to son from father again.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet As it happens, I've been doing some reading about John Kennedy, and what I find startling, and even surprising, is how absolutely consistent and unchanged the ideology of the extreme American right has been over the past fifty years, from father to son and now, presumably, on to son from father again.

The New Yorker

So I've been doing some reading in search of solutions to those issues.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Did some reading, writing.

The Guardian - Music

Going to do some reading.

Independent

"But I did some reading.

The New York Times

So I did some reading.

The New York Times

Time to actually do some reading!

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing some reading" to describe a general act of reading, often for leisure or to gain a basic understanding of a topic. For more in-depth or formal study, consider alternatives like "researching" or "studying".

Common error

Avoid using "doing some reading" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "conducting research", "reviewing literature", or "analyzing data" to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing some reading" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe a general activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doing some reading" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. It generally describes the act of reading for information, pleasure, or preparation. While versatile, its informality may not suit highly formal or academic writing, where terms like "conducting research" are more appropriate. According to Ludwig, the phrase sees the most use in News & Media and Academic publications. For more formal and technical writing, consider substituting alternatives such as "reviewing literature", or "analyzing data". Ludwig’s examples shows that it is mostly used in neutral context and to describe a common activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reading up on

Implies a focused effort to learn about a specific topic through reading.

studying

Suggests a more formal or academic approach to learning through reading.

researching

Indicates a systematic investigation to discover or revise facts, theories using reading.

perusing literature

A more formal way to describe casual reading of books or articles.

consulting resources

Highlights the act of seeking information from various sources, including written material.

delving into books

Conveys a deeper, more immersive engagement with reading.

investigating through texts

Focuses on the investigative aspect of reading for information.

examining documents

Implies a careful and detailed inspection of written materials.

acquiring knowledge

Emphasizes the outcome of reading, which is gaining understanding.

gaining insight

Focuses on the intellectual benefit derived from reading.

FAQs

How can I use "doing some reading" in a sentence?

You can use "doing some reading" to describe the act of reading for pleasure, study, or research. For example, "I'm planning on "doing some reading" this weekend to relax."

What are some alternatives to "doing some reading"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "reading up on", "studying", "researching", or "consulting resources".

Is "doing some reading" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "doing some reading" may sound too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider using more precise terms like "conducting research" or "reviewing literature" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "doing some reading" and "reading up on"?

"Doing some reading" is a general term for the act of reading. "Reading up on" implies a more focused effort to learn about a specific topic through reading.