for doing what

USAGE SUMMARY

"for doing what" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when asking someone what it is they are doing or about to do. Example: What are you doing here, for doing what?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For doing what?

The New York Times

For doing what Brutus was honored for".

The New York Times - Arts

Aaron's being detained, for doing what?

The New York Times - Sports

It penalizes companies for doing what they ought to do.

The New Yorker

That's another reason for doing what we do live.

The Guardian - Music

"Everybody has a reason for doing what they're doing.

The New York Times - Magazine

One does congratulate them for doing what they did".

The Guardian

Meyers has her reasons for doing what she does.

The New York Times - Magazine

Our reasons haven't changed for doing what we do.

The Guardian - Music

But I would pay them for doing what they did.

The New York Times - Magazine

Credit to Gspurning for doing what he had to though.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for doing what" to express surprise or disbelief about someone's actions, often rhetorically.

Common error

Avoid using "for doing what" in formal writing where a direct and clear question is needed. It's best suited for rhetorical questions or informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for doing what" functions as an interrogative phrase, typically used rhetorically to question the reason or justification behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for doing what" is a grammatically correct and frequently used interrogative phrase that serves to question or challenge the justification behind an action. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for use in written English, particularly in rhetorical contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it expresses skepticism and prompts reflection on the merits of the action. While versatile, it's best reserved for neutral to informal settings, avoiding overly formal or academic writing where direct questioning might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why do you do that

Directly asks for the reason behind an action, simplifying the original phrase.

what is the rationale behind that

Seeks a reasoned explanation or logical basis for the action.

what was the reason for doing that

Focuses on the reason behind the action, adding an element of explanation-seeking.

what prompted this action

Highlights the immediate cause or trigger for the action.

what's the motivation for this action

Emphasizes the underlying motivation, implying a deeper inquiry into the reasons.

what is the cause of this

Asks about the direct cause, often implying a problem or undesirable outcome.

what justifies this

Challenges the legitimacy or rightfulness of the action, demanding a strong justification.

on what grounds was this done

Inquires about the justification or basis for an action, often used in a formal context.

what were they trying to achieve

Focuses on the intended outcome or goal of an action, adding a layer of intentionality.

what purpose does this serve

Focuses on the utility or function of an action, rather than the immediate reason.

FAQs

How to use "for doing what" in a sentence?

Use "for doing what" to question or challenge the justification behind an action, often rhetorically. For example, "They're getting rewarded "for doing what"?"

What can I say instead of "for doing what"?

You can use alternatives like "why do you do that", "what was the reason for doing that", or "what's the motivation for this action" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "for doing what" or "what for doing"?

"For doing what" is the correct and idiomatic phrase. "What for doing" is not a standard construction.

What's the nuance of using "for doing what"?

"For doing what" often implies incredulity or disagreement with the implied reward or consequence of an action. It challenges the merit or justification.