doing the talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'doing the talking' is acceptable and commonly used in written English. It is usually used to indicate that one's actions are speaking more loudly than their words. For example, "His hard work was doing the talking; he hadn't had time to tell anyone about it yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Ford was doing the talking.

The New York Times

My attorney is doing the talking".

The New York Times - Sports

Ellington said: "I think our running is doing the talking.

The Guardian - Sport

Except, that is, when Mr. Andersen is doing the talking.

The New York Times

It was mostly the ultra doing the talking.

The Guardian - Sport

The chemicals were doing the talking, he said.

The New Yorker

It is always better to know who's doing the talking.

The New York Times

It's the data that is doing the talking".

The Guardian - Business

It depends on which doll is doing the talking.

The New Yorker

"The person who was doing the talking asked me where the safe was," Dr. Petit testified.

The New York Times

But all these years later, he's the one who will be doing the talking.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing the talking" when you want to emphasize that actions or results are more important or revealing than words. For instance, "The company's profits are doing the talking, showing their success better than any marketing campaign could."

Common error

Avoid using "doing the talking" when you simply mean someone is speaking. This phrase implies that something else—actions, results, or data—is conveying a message, not that someone is verbally communicating. For example, don't say "He wasn't doing the talking" if you just mean he wasn't speaking; instead, say "He wasn't speaking."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing the talking" functions as a verbal phrase emphasizing that something other than speech is conveying a message or information. It highlights the significance of actions, results, or evidence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing the talking" is a versatile verbal phrase commonly used to emphasize the impact of actions, results, or data over verbal communication. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, sport, and formal business settings. Ludwig AI’s analysis indicates a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication styles. Remember to use "doing the talking" when you want to highlight that something other than speech is conveying a message and avoid using it simply to mean someone is speaking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actions speak louder than words

Emphasizes the impact of actions over verbal communication.

the proof is in the pudding

This idiom suggests that the real value or quality of something can only be judged after it has been tried or tested.

evidence is clear

Stresses the clarity and persuasiveness of the evidence.

his deeds are revealing

Focuses on the revealing nature of one's actions.

facts are telling

Highlights how the facts by themselves convey a message.

results are evident

Focuses on the clear visibility of outcomes.

outcomes demonstrate

Focuses on how results actively show a particular quality or effect.

achievements stand out

Emphasizes the notability and impact of accomplishments.

success is apparent

Highlights the clear visibility and recognition of success.

performance shines

Highlights the excellence of a particular performance.

FAQs

How can I use "doing the talking" in a sentence?

You can use "doing the talking" to emphasize that someone's actions or results are more significant than their words. For example, "After the successful product launch, the sales figures were "doing the talking"."

What's a similar expression to "doing the talking"?

Similar expressions include "actions speak louder than words", which also conveys that actions are more meaningful than spoken words.

Is it ever incorrect to use "doing the talking"?

It would be incorrect to use "doing the talking" if you simply mean that someone is speaking. The phrase implies that something other than direct speech is communicating a message.

What's the difference between "doing the talking" and "doing the telling"?

"Doing the talking" implies actions or results are communicating a message, while "doing the telling" suggests someone is providing information directly through speech. The former is indirect communication; the latter is direct.