fell into doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fell into doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe how someone unintentionally started engaging in a particular activity or behavior. Example: "After years of working in finance, I fell into doing freelance writing as a side job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sort of fell into doing drywall.

The New Yorker

"I sort of fell into doing fashion.

Huffington Post

I fell into doing the series by accident.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In retrospect, I'd rather fallen into doing a PhD.

The Guardian

She'd say, 'I know I'll fall into doing Rachel, so when I do, just say, "Rachel".

The New York Times

The question of what formal category they fall into doesn't interest her.

The Guardian - Books

(This is a very easy problem to fall into — don't let it happen to you!).

TechCrunch

Most of the surviving Hazaras fell into poverty, doing the work of draft animals and slaves.

The New Yorker

But at some point, you do actually fall into that tradition, don't you?

Independent

Don't fall into the trap of doing what he should rightly do for himself!

WikiHow

(He apparently fell into a ditch, but you do wonder).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fell into doing" when you want to emphasize that your involvement in an activity was somewhat accidental or unplanned. This adds a sense of spontaneity to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "fell into doing" when describing actions that were deliberately planned or sought out. It's best reserved for situations where the involvement was unexpected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fell into doing" functions as a verb phrase indicating how someone began an activity unintentionally or by chance. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. The examples show it is often used to describe how someone started a job or hobby without planning to.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fell into doing" describes starting an activity unintentionally or by chance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically sound. It's most frequently found in news and media, and the phrase is suitable for neutral contexts. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the unplanned nature of your involvement, and avoid using it for deliberately planned actions. If you're looking for alternatives, consider using phrases like ""drifted into doing"" or ""ended up doing"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drifted into doing

Implies a gradual and passive entry into an activity, similar to "fell into doing" but with a slightly softer connotation.

stumbled into doing

Suggests a more accidental or haphazard entry, emphasizing the lack of planning.

found myself doing

Emphasizes the speaker's surprise at their involvement in the activity.

inadvertently started doing

Highlights the lack of intention behind beginning the activity.

ended up doing

A more general phrase indicating a final result, without necessarily implying unintentionality.

unintentionally began doing

Similar to 'inadvertently started doing', emphasizes the lack of intention.

got involved in doing

Indicates participation in an activity, though it can be intentional or unintentional.

gravitated towards doing

Suggests a natural inclination or pull towards the activity, though not necessarily planned.

was drawn to doing

Indicates an attraction or appeal that led to involvement in the activity.

took up doing

General way of talking about beginning an activity, without focus on intention.

FAQs

What does "fell into doing" mean?

The phrase "fell into doing" suggests that someone began an activity or occupation unintentionally or by chance. It implies a lack of planning or deliberate intent.

Is it correct to say "fall into doing"?

Yes, "fall into doing" is the infinitive form, while "fell into doing" is the past tense. The correct form depends on the context of your sentence.

What can I say instead of "fell into doing"?

You can use alternatives like "drifted into doing", "ended up doing", or "found myself doing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "fell into doing" differ from "started doing"?

"Started doing" is a more neutral and general term. "Fell into doing" implies the action was unintentional or accidental, while "started doing" does not.