his doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "his doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an action that someone has carried out or is in the process of doing. For example: "The success of the project was due to his doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His pride wasn't his doing; it was his un-doing.

Huffington Post

The trial was his doing.

The New Yorker

It was largely his doing.

The New York Times - Sports

His doing so is unlikely, unfortunately.

The New York Times

The Objective Force is his doing.

The New Yorker

"It's been his doing.

The New York Times - Sports

This is hardly his doing.

The Guardian - Sport

"That is not his doing.

The Guardian

That was absolutely his doing".

The New York Times

I can understand his doing drugs.

The New Yorker

But is that really his doing, or his problem?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For actions completed in the past, consider using 'what he did' or 'his actions' for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "his doing" when the sentence structure implies the action was done to him, rather than by him. In such cases, rephrase to clarify who performed the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his doing" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often following prepositions like "due to" or "because of". It refers to an action or activity performed by the individual. Ludwig examples show usage in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "his doing" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase, functioning as a gerund phrase to denote action or responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, be mindful of potential ambiguity and consider alternatives like "his actions" or "what he did" for enhanced clarity. Remember to use "his doing" when you want to highlight that something resulted or happened because of an individual's agency. The examples presented by Ludwig underscore its correct and varied application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what he did

Uses a more explicit phrasing, focusing on a past action.

his action

Replaces the gerund "doing" with the noun "action", making it more direct.

his deed

Substitutes "doing" with "deed", implying a more significant or impactful action.

his work

Replaces "doing" with "work", focusing on effort and labor.

his responsibility

Highlights the obligation or duty associated with the action.

his fault

Shifts the focus to blame or accountability for something negative.

his creation

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence.

the result of his actions

Highlights the consequences or outcome of someone's behavior.

his handiwork

Implies a skilled or crafted action.

his undertaking

Focuses on a project or endeavor someone is engaged in.

FAQs

How can I use "his doing" in a sentence?

Use "his doing" to indicate that a particular outcome or situation is a result of someone's actions. For example, "The project's success was due to his doing."

What's a more formal alternative to "his doing"?

Consider using "his actions" or "his conduct" in formal contexts for a slightly more elevated tone.

How does "his doing" differ from "what he did"?

"His doing" often implies an ongoing process or general pattern of behavior, while "what he did" refers to specific, completed actions.

Is it ever incorrect to use "his doing"?

It can be awkward if the intended meaning is passive. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates that he is the one performing the action, not receiving it.