doing their work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing their work" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who is carrying out their duties or responsibilities. For example: "The employees at the office were busy doing their work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Everyone's quite busy doing their work.

The New York Times

"They're doing their work every day.

The New York Times - Sports

It makes workers redundant, by doing their work for them.

The New Yorker

Some people are not doing their work with integrity.

The Guardian

He went on, "We're basically doing their work for them".

The New Yorker

Until that weekend, everyone was doing their work.

The Guardian - Business

How do forgers set about doing their work?

The New York Times - Books

But they are out there, doing their work.

The Guardian

There are two guys here, doing their work.

The Washington Post

Thus, custom-tailored software was developed to optimally assist connection dispatchers in doing their work.

Procedia Manufacturing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When they're unwell, they're not doing their work maybe any work.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team or group, ensure that the pronoun "their" accurately reflects the collective ownership of the work. Avoid using "his or her" for brevity and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "their" when referring to a single individual. Use "his" or "her" instead, or rephrase the sentence to avoid the pronoun altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing their work" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. It often serves as the subject or object of a verb, describing an action in progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing their work" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that describes individuals or groups performing their assigned tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and Ludwig's examples show its presence across diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific articles and business communications. While its register is generally neutral, its precise connotation can vary based on the surrounding context. Alternatives like "performing their duties" or "carrying out their tasks" may be more suitable depending on the desired emphasis. Be mindful of pronoun agreement, especially when referring to singular subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing their duties

Replaces "work" with "duties", emphasizing the obligatory nature of the tasks.

carrying out their tasks

Uses "carrying out" instead of "doing", focusing on the execution of specific tasks.

completing their assignments

Emphasizes the finalization of specific assignments or projects.

executing their responsibilities

Replaces "work" with "responsibilities", highlighting the accountability aspect.

fulfilling their obligations

Focuses on meeting requirements or commitments through work.

engaged in their activities

Describes participation in specific activities, changing from a pure 'work' concept.

working on their projects

Specifically mentions the 'project' context, highlighting the work effort invested.

laboring at their endeavors

Emphasizes the effort and diligence in the work being done.

tending to their business

Focuses on handling their affairs, potentially commercial or professional.

taking care of their jobs

Highlights the importance of managing and executing their work correctly.

FAQs

How can I use "doing their work" in a sentence?

You can use "doing their work" to describe individuals or groups performing their assigned tasks or duties. For example, "The construction crew was busy "doing their work" on the new building."

What are some alternatives to "doing their work"?

Some alternatives include "performing their duties", "carrying out their tasks", or "completing their assignments". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "doing their work" formal or informal?

"Doing their work" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the communication.

What's the difference between "doing their work" and "doing their job"?

While similar, "doing their work" refers more broadly to the tasks and responsibilities, while "doing their job" emphasizes fulfilling the specific requirements and expectations of a particular position. They are often interchangeable, but "doing their job" might carry a slightly stronger connotation of meeting professional standards.