doing something right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing something right" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
Example sentence: She was finally praised for doing something right after weeks of struggling to find success in her new job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm doing something right".

The New York Times - Sports

Catch them doing something right!

Yale University

Still, Nissan must be doing something right.

The New York Times

Megu must be doing something right.

The New York Times - Food

We must be doing something right.

The New York Times

They must be doing something right.

The New Yorker

The system must be doing something right.

The New Yorker

Yet he is clearly doing something right.

The Economist

I must be doing something right".

The New York Times

"But we must be doing something right".

The New York Times

The guy was doing something right.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doing something right", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific action or behavior is being commended.

Common error

Avoid assuming someone is "doing something right" based solely on positive outcomes without understanding the underlying reasons or processes. Ensure there's a clear link between actions and results before attributing success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing something right" functions as a general indicator of success or effectiveness. It often serves as a comment on a process or action that is yielding positive results. Ludwig shows many instances where this phrase acknowledges positive outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing something right" is a versatile expression used to acknowledge success or effectiveness, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a general indicator of positive outcomes and is commonly used in news, media, and academic contexts. While Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, it's important to consider formality and context when choosing alternative phrases. The phrase serves to recognize and encourage positive actions, but be cautious about attributing success without a clear understanding of underlying factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing a good job

This focuses on the quality of the work being performed.

getting it right

This emphasizes the act of achieving accuracy or correctness, a specific instance of doing something well.

performing well

Highlights the effective execution of tasks or duties.

on the right track

This phrase suggests progress in a positive direction, focusing on the path rather than the specific action.

achieving success

This emphasizes the accomplishment of a desired outcome or goal.

getting positive results

This emphasizes the favorable outcomes achieved through specific actions.

succeeding at something

This highlights the achievement of a goal, focusing on the outcome of the actions.

excelling in something

Implies a higher level of performance and skill, going beyond simply doing something correctly.

heading in the right direction

Suggests a general sense of improvement and positive momentum.

making progress

This focuses on the forward movement and improvement resulting from positive actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "doing something right" to indicate that someone is performing an action or task effectively, leading to positive results. For example, "The company is thriving; they must be doing something right".

What are some alternatives to "doing something right"?

You can use alternatives like "on the right track", "succeeding at something", or "doing a good job" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "doing something right" in formal writing?

While "doing something right" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "implementing effective strategies" or "achieving positive outcomes" in academic or professional contexts.

What does it mean when someone says "If you're getting criticism, you must be doing something right"?

This statement implies that if you are facing opposition or criticism, it's likely because you are challenging the status quo or making significant progress, thus provoking reactions. It suggests that you might be "on the right track" despite the negativity.