doing something differently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing something differently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing alternative methods or approaches to a task or situation. Example: "In order to improve our results, we should consider doing something differently this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"New York Theater Workshop came to us with enthusiasm for doing something differently, but it was not easy.

The New York Times

There is no proof that drivers slow down with age, despite what the people behind them may think, but they do seem to be doing something differently.

The New York Times

"They've unilaterally changed the terms and gone about doing something differently than what we agreed to less than two years ago," said Chinh Quang Le, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund one of the civil rights organizations that is part of the legal team representing the plaintiffs.

The New York Times

Sometimes she would come home, with all her training and her reading in the social-work literature, and tell Hector that he should be doing something differently, and he would feel that he had been in the trenches day in and day out, cleaning toilets and doing laundry, while she was staying in hotels, and he would yell at her, Don't give me this textbook shit!

The New Yorker

"We always listen to what sports are saying and give very careful consideration to whether that means we should be doing something differently," added Nicholl.

BBC

But the company is doing something differently than others in this space – it's letting consumers shop anonymously, while also seeing how their answers to the Insurance Zebra's Q&A change their rate quotes in real-time.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"People think I do something differently.

The New York Times - Sports

Should she have done something differently?

The Guardian

"When everyone else does something differently, that doesn't mean we should do it too".

The Guardian

It doesn't make sense to do something differently in England to the other home countries.

Independent

As critical as taking an opportunity is realizing that you need to do something differently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase to encourage experimentation and innovation within a team.

Common error

While effective, avoid repeating "doing something differently" too often. Vary your language with synonyms like "adopting a different approach" or "trying a new tactic" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing something differently" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of altering a method or approach, as Ludwig demonstrates in various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doing something differently" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to suggest a change in approach or method. As Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently in news and media, and its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. Remember to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "adopting a different approach" or "trying a new tactic" to maintain reader engagement. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides ample examples of its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adopting a different approach

Focuses on the method being used.

trying a new tactic

Emphasizes a specific action taken to achieve a goal.

changing one's strategy

Highlights a shift in overall planning.

altering course

Suggests a change in direction or path.

taking a different tack

Implies a subtle change in approach.

revising the method

Focuses on improving the current way of doing things.

innovating the process

Emphasizes the introduction of new ideas or methods.

experimenting with new techniques

Highlights the act of trying out novel approaches.

shifting paradigms

Suggests a fundamental change in the underlying assumptions.

thinking outside the box

Implies creativity and non-traditional solutions.

FAQs

How can I use "doing something differently" in a sentence?

You can use "doing something differently" to suggest a change in approach. For example, "If the current strategy isn't working, we need to consider "doing something differently"."

What's a more formal way to say "doing something differently"?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "adopting a different approach", "revising the method", or "altering course" as alternatives to "doing something differently".

When is it appropriate to use "doing something differently"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate a need for a change in strategy, method, or behavior. It is suitable for suggesting innovation, problem-solving, or adapting to new circumstances. For example, if a business model isn't yielding results, it may be time to suggest "doing something differently".

Is "doing something differently" always better?

Not necessarily. While "doing something differently" can lead to improvements, it's important to carefully evaluate the new approach to ensure it aligns with your goals and doesn't introduce unintended consequences. Changing for the sake of change is not always productive.