doing they like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing they like" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "doing what they like"? If this is the case, you can use it to refer to actions or activities that someone enjoys or prefers. Example: "In their free time, they spend hours doing what they like, whether it's painting or hiking."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The conclusions were that girls like a reason for what they're doing, they like a story, they like character interaction.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Do they like her comedy?

Independent

What shows do they like?

The New York Times - Travel

Did they like the packaging?

The New York Times

Do they like me?

The New Yorker

What do they like about it?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But do they like the sake?

The New York Times - Food

"Do they like me?" he asked.

The New Yorker

Why do they like Pfizer brands?

The New York Times

Do they like being photographed by you?

The New York Times

Did they like one another?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "doing they like" in formal or informal writing, as it does not follow standard English grammar rules. Instead, use grammatically correct alternatives like "what do they like to do" or "what are their hobbies".

Common error

The common mistake is the incorrect word order. Ensure the verb 'do' is placed correctly to form a question. Instead of "doing they like", ask "what do they like doing?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing they like" is grammatically incorrect and does not serve a clear grammatical function in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a correct construction. A corrected form would typically function as an interrogative clause, asking about someone's preferences or interests.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing they like" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig, this phrase is not a valid construction. While some examples exist, they likely represent errors or non-standard usage. To ask about someone's interests, it's better to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "what do they like to do?" or "what are their hobbies?". These alternatives ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what do they like to do

Simplifies the original phrase using a more grammatically correct structure.

what do they enjoy doing

Rephrases the question to focus on the activities someone finds pleasurable.

what are their favorite things to do

Highlights preferred activities with an emphasis on enjoyment.

what are their hobbies

Focuses on specific pastimes and interests someone might have.

what are their preferred activities

Asks about their favored ways of spending time.

what activities do they prefer

Uses "prefer" to indicate a favored activity.

what interests do they have

Shifts the focus to general areas of interest rather than specific actions.

what are they passionate about

Explores deeper interests and enthusiasms.

what brings them joy

Focuses on activities that elicit happiness.

what do they have a penchant for

Uses "penchant" to express a strong liking for something.

FAQs

What's the correct way to ask about someone's interests?

Instead of the grammatically incorrect phrase "doing they like", you should ask "What "do they like to do"?" or "What are their hobbies?".

Is "doing they like" ever correct?

No, "doing they like" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's best to use alternatives like "what "do they enjoy"?" or "What are their favorite activities?".

How can I rephrase "doing they like" to be more formal?

For a more formal tone, use phrases like "What activities "do they prefer"?" or "What are their preferred pastimes?" rather than "doing they like".

What's a simple alternative to "doing they like"?

A simple and correct alternative is "What "do they like"?". This directly asks about their preferences in a grammatically sound way.