doing something else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing something else" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "I finished my work early, so I spent the rest of the day doing something else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm doing something else.

The New York Times

Cruz was doing something else.

The New York Times - Sports

Ondaatje is doing something else.

The New Yorker

I'm always busy doing something else.

The New York Times

"Doing something else helped me mentally.

Independent

But he is also doing something else.

The New York Times

Would you rather be doing something else?

The Guardian - Tech

Why not? "She was doing something else".

The Guardian

I'm not thinking about doing something else".

The Guardian

"If we weren't doing that, we'd be doing something else".

The New York Times

If I didn't play football I'd be doing something else.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing something else" to indicate a change in activity or focus, providing a clear and concise way to express shifting priorities or interests. For example, 'Instead of watching TV, I decided to do something else and read a book.'

Common error

Avoid using "doing something else" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound vague. In professional or academic settings, be specific about the alternative activity. For instance, instead of "We are doing something else to address the issue", state "We are implementing a new strategy to address the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing something else" primarily functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes an action that is different from the one previously mentioned or expected. Ludwig AI provides examples showcasing its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing something else" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a shift in activity or focus. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its prevalence in news, media, and informal contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in formal settings where specificity is valued. Alternatives like "engaging in another activity" or "pursuing a different course" can offer more precise language. Remember, while grammatically sound and simple to understand, "doing something else" is sometimes too vague, remember to use it wisely!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaging in another activity

Focuses on the action of engaging, emphasizing the active aspect of the change.

pursuing a different course

Highlights the directional change and the intention behind it.

involved in an alternative task

Emphasizes being occupied with a task that is not the original one.

occupied with a different matter

Stresses the state of being busy with something unrelated.

diverting to another pursuit

Suggests a shift in focus towards a different goal or interest.

taking up a new venture

Implies starting something new and potentially challenging.

switching to a different undertaking

Highlights a deliberate change in project or activity.

turning to an alternative endeavor

Suggests a shift towards a potentially more purposeful or significant activity.

devoting time to a new interest

Focuses on allocating time to something personally engaging.

opting for an alternative pastime

Emphasizes choosing a different recreational activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "doing something else" to indicate a change in activity or focus. For instance, "If you're bored, try "doing something else" that you enjoy".

What can I say instead of "doing something else"?

Alternatives include "engaging in another activity", "pursuing a different course", or "involved in an alternative task", depending on the context.

Is "doing something else" too vague for professional writing?

In some professional contexts, "doing something else" can be too vague. It's often better to specify what the alternative activity is for clarity. You may use "implementing a new strategy", "exploring new avenues" or "shifting priorities" instead.

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

It's appropriate when you want to generally refer to switching to a different activity without needing to specify exactly what that activity is. This can be useful in casual conversation or when the specific activity is unimportant. The opposite could be if you need to be precise, then mention "specific activity".