in the act of doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the act of doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is currently engaged in a specific activity or task. Example: "She was caught in the act of doing her homework when her friend called."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

And it's in the act of doing that that someone will say, 'Well, what are you doing here?

The Guardian - Books

Even in the act of doing so, good intentions may lead one down the path of error.

The New York Times

Zappos implemented a "Wow" recognition program designed to capture people in the act of doing the right thing.

Harvard Business Review

It is now possible for cell biologists to see macromolecules fixed in situ, presumably in the act of doing their biological job.

Methods in Cell Biology

To show how a bill gets made, the films follow senators and Congress members, staff members, advocates, lobbyists and bureaucrats in the act of doing their jobs.

The New York Times

And in the act of doing it, you experience the unconfused purity of being a human predator, stripped of everything that is nonessential.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The goal is not to advocate whom people should vote for: it is to advocate the act of voting itself, the act of engaging in the democratic process; and the act of doing so in a conscious and fully informed way.

European Parliament

"Wilbur's gift accomplishes the virtue we have been trying to instill in our students -- the act of doing something for others," Mr. Vincent said.

The New York Times

I will have engaged in an activity, and just the act of doing it may have helped distract me.

HuffPost

Even if the Fed could print money in the way that some presume, the act of doing so would actually lead to a reduction of dollars in circulation, not an increase.

Forbes

Like many companies today, Egnyte recognizes there is value in the data they generate simply by the act of doing business.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the act of doing" to clearly indicate that someone or something is currently engaged in a specific activity. This phrase is effective in descriptions where precise timing and ongoing action are important.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences that obscure who is performing the action. Instead of saying "Mistakes were made in the act of doing," specify who made the mistakes: "The team made mistakes in the act of doing the research."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the act of doing" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify a verb. It describes the timing or circumstances of an action, indicating that something occurred while another action was taking place. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the act of doing" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase that adds specific context and timing to an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate that something occurred while another action was in progress. While it is commonly found in news and media, it can also appear in formal and scientific contexts. It is important to avoid overuse and passive voice to maintain clarity. By considering its alternatives, such as "during the execution of" or "while carrying out", you can effectively communicate the intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the process of

Focuses specifically on the procedural aspect.

while performing

Focuses more on the action being executed.

in the midst of performing

Highlights the continuous and ongoing nature of the action.

while carrying out

Emphasizes the process of performing a task.

while in the course of

More formal and indicates a sequence of events.

during the execution of

More formal and emphasizes the process.

whilst executing

A more formal and less common way of saying "while doing".

as it is done

Highlights the manner in which something is carried out.

as someone does

General and emphasizes the performer of the action.

when undertaking

More formal and suggests starting a task.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in the act of doing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "during the execution of", or "while carrying out". These alternatives add a layer of professional distance to your writing.

Is "in the act of doing" interchangeable with "in the process of"?

While similar, "in the process of" emphasizes the sequence of actions more than the specific moment of activity. "In the act of doing" highlights the immediacy and direct involvement in the task.

When is it best to use "in the act of doing" over simpler alternatives?

Use "in the act of doing" when you want to emphasize that someone was caught or observed directly while they were performing an action, especially if the timing is important to the context.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "in the act of doing"?

Avoid using "in the act of doing" in contexts where a simpler phrasing like "while doing" or "during" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.