doing their tricks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing their tricks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone performing skills or actions, often in a playful or impressive manner. Example: "The magician was doing their tricks, leaving the audience in awe of his skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

An assortment of weird and wonderful performers moves on and off stage doing their tricks.

The Guardian

They had heard that there were frequent attacks on trainers by animals they trained, which hardly bore out the suggestion that the animals enjoyed doing their tricks.

The Guardian

The exhibition, which runs through June 27, features a chronology of the sport, photographs, videos of skaters doing their tricks and personally decorated boards from Native American skaters and skateboard companies like Wounded Knee Skateboards, Native Skates and 4wheelwarpony, owned by the filmmaker Dustinn Craig, a White Mountain Apache.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Afterwards they thank their hostess and go off to do their tricks and get their treats.

The New Yorker

So, slowly, towns around New Jersey are trying to find places for would-be X-Gamers to do their tricks.

The New York Times

The men dress the women up as chickens, make them do their tricks, and then proceed to eat them at a feather-strewn banquet.

The New Yorker

Like a magician revealing how they did their tricks, any act attempting to shout "Surprise!" today will probably be faced with their fans rolling their eyes in resignation and sighing, "I knew you were going to do that".

The Guardian - Music

It also remains to be seen whether people who still cannot program a VCR, and there are plenty of us, will ever be able to learn how to program the computerized appliances to do their tricks.

The New York Times

SeaWorld and other aquariums use food to induce whales, dolphins and seals to do their tricks for the public.

Huffington Post

The art is not to be able to do their tricks, but to use them when it really comes to the line.

WikiHow

2009′s bows did their trick, emboldening instead of pacifying and upping aggression quotients rather than engendering cooperation.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doing their tricks" when you want to convey a sense of practiced skill or entertaining performance, particularly in contexts where the actions are somewhat whimsical or unexpected.

Common error

Ensure you're using the possessive pronoun "their" correctly to indicate that the tricks belong to a group. Avoid using "there" or "they're" in its place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing their tricks" functions as a verb phrase, describing an action being performed by a group of individuals or entities. The possessive pronoun "their" indicates ownership of the "tricks". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing their tricks" is a grammatically sound way to describe individuals or entities performing skillful or strategic actions, often with an element of performance or entertainment. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's essential to consider the context; more formal alternatives like "demonstrating their abilities" may be more appropriate for academic or professional settings. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that "doing their tricks" appears most frequently in news and media. Remember to use the correct possessive pronoun ("their") to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing their stunts

Focuses on actions that are daring and often visually impressive.

executing their skills

Highlights the technical proficiency and precision involved in the actions.

demonstrating their abilities

Emphasizes the capabilities and talents being showcased.

showing off their talents

Suggests a display of skill with the intention of impressing others.

plying their trade

Implies actions are part of a profession or established practice.

enacting their maneuvers

Highlights planned and strategic actions, often in a specific context like military or sports.

carrying out their routines

Focuses on actions performed as part of a set sequence or pattern.

presenting their act

Suggests a formal presentation or performance for an audience.

performing their routine

Similar to "carrying out their routines", but emphasizes the singular performance.

unleashing their capabilities

Emphasizes the power and potential of the skills being displayed.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "doing their tricks" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "demonstrating their abilities" or "executing their skills", which emphasize expertise and precision.

What does "doing their tricks" imply about the actions being performed?

It often suggests a playful or impressive display of skill, sometimes with a hint of showmanship or entertainment value. The actions are typically practiced and deliberate.

Is "doing their tricks" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "doing their tricks" might be too informal for most academic contexts. Opt for more neutral phrases like "performing their tasks" or "implementing their strategies".

What's the difference between "doing their tricks" and "showing their skills"?

"Doing their tricks" often implies a performance aspect, while "showing their skills" is a broader term that simply indicates demonstrating competence. Tricks are usually specific, practiced routines.