from doing just

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from doing just" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a limitation or restriction on an action, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "He stopped himself from doing just that."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Some of my foggiest memories come from doing just that!

Princeton University

The government had posted police officers around the building to prevent him from doing just that.

The New York Times

Now a month away from doing just that, Garrett is in a springtime no man's land.

The New York Times - Sports

The Browns should in no way prevent them from doing just that.

The New York Times

You can argue that Republicans have blocked President Obama from doing just about anything.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'd like to make things right," said Barker, who is now just one victory away from doing just that.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

He does it in three, and is far from done just yet.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, one of my oldest vintage items, a leather satchel for around £15, came from them doing just that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People who have trouble describing emotion (which research shows tends to be men) may benefit most from practicing doing just that labeling thoughts and emotions with words.

University of California, Berkeley

" Takahashi and Kozawa, with a little help from poetry, are doing just that.

Huffington Post

Two young copywriters from San Francisco are doing just that through the Federal Bureau of Prisons' pen pal programme.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, consider replacing "from doing just" with more common alternatives like "from simply doing" or "from doing so". These options often sound more natural and less awkward.

Common error

Avoid using "from doing just" when a simpler phrasing, such as "from doing that" or "from doing so", conveys the same meaning more effectively. Overcomplicating the sentence can make your writing sound less polished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from doing just" typically functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating prevention or restriction. While it aims to express a limitation on an action, it is considered awkward. Ludwig AI points out that it lacks clarity and can be improved with alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "from doing just" appears in various contexts, including news and academic writing, it is generally considered an awkward and less-than-ideal phrasing. Ludwig AI suggests that it lacks clarity and points out the importance of using a more common phrasing such as "from simply doing" or "from doing so". Given its infrequent usage and the availability of clearer alternatives, it's best to avoid "from doing just" in favor of more polished and widely accepted expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from doing so

Uses a more concise and grammatically standard construction.

from simply doing

Replaces "just" with "simply" to offer a more common and natural phrasing.

from merely doing

Substitutes "just" with "merely", providing a slightly more formal tone.

from only doing

Replaces "just" with "only" for a slightly different emphasis on limitation.

from doing exactly that

Adds "exactly" for increased precision, though the core issue of grammatical stiffness remains.

to prevent from doing that

Rephrases to emphasize prevention.

to stop from performing that action

Adds further precision by specifying 'action'.

to hinder from taking that step

Highlights the hindering of a step or action.

from engaging in that

Replaces the more commonplace 'doing' with 'engaging in' for a more refined sound.

rather than doing that

Expresses preference for another action.

FAQs

What does "from doing just" mean?

The phrase "from doing just" is not a standard English construction and can sound awkward. It's often intended to mean "from simply doing" or "from merely doing" something, but the wording is uncommon.

What can I say instead of "from doing just"?

You can use alternatives like "from simply doing", "from merely doing", or "from doing so" depending on the context.

Is "from doing just" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "from doing just" is an awkward phrasing that is best avoided in favor of more common and clear alternatives.

How can I improve my sentence using "from doing just"?

Try rephrasing the sentence to use "from simply doing" or "from doing so" for improved clarity and flow. These alternatives are more widely accepted and sound more natural.