make do with doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make do with doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the idea of managing with what is available or making the best of a situation, particularly when referring to a specific action or task. Example: "Due to budget cuts, we will have to make do with doing our marketing in-house instead of hiring an agency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many other languages have four different personal pronouns where English makes do with one.Or does it?

The Economist

It comes as no surprise that Miu is a woman.K, whom Sumire loves but does not desire, makes do with occasional nights with the mother of one of his pupils, who doesn't even merit an initial.

The Economist

But in his shrewd and lively portraits of Peruvian lawyers and barbers and storekeepers Vargas Llosa catches well enough the tone of the cagey, improvising citizenry that makes do with a system and, having made do, resists sweeping change.

The New Yorker

Mr. Hoffman wants to demonstrate that comparing the two periods has limitations because the people left jobless back then, many of them recent immigrants, were a different breed from today's unemployed: less gimme-gimme, more frugal and more accustomed to making do with what they had, or simply doing without.

The New York Times

I made do with an Old-Fashioned.

The New York Times - Food

Here, Newson makes do with a Samsung.

The New Yorker

She made do with substitutes.

The New York Times

In the case of the Port Said massacre they made do with condemning the Interior Ministry and did not dare utter a single word about the Military Council's responsibility.

Huffington Post

They passed on purchasing the latest phones and tablets, made do with a 15-year-old car, did less clothes shopping and started cooking at home more often.

Huffington Post

If you don't call ahead, you can make do with a kind of do-it-yourself tartiflette called "reblochonnade".

The New York Times - Travel

Unable to do similarly, we must make do with what PJ Harvey chooses to bring back.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When resources are limited, use "make do with doing" to clearly express how you are adapting to a situation. For example: "Due to budget cuts, we will have to "make do with doing" our marketing in-house."

Common error

Avoid using "make do with doing" when a simpler phrase like "manage with" or "cope with" conveys the same meaning more directly. Simplicity often enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make do with doing" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of managing or accomplishing something, typically a task or activity, under less-than-ideal conditions. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make do with doing" is grammatically correct, it's relatively uncommon and may sound somewhat verbose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, but simpler alternatives often convey the same meaning more effectively. The phrase implies managing a task or activity under constraints, emphasizing resourcefulness. It is appropriate for informal contexts, but less so for formal or academic settings. Consider using alternatives like "manage with" or "cope with" for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage with

Focuses on the act of managing resources, omitting the specific action implied by "doing".

get by with

Emphasizes survival or coping with minimal resources, removing the action component.

cope with

Highlights the act of dealing with difficulties, without specifying the method.

make the best of

Stresses a positive attitude toward a challenging situation, altering the original phrase's neutral tone.

improvise with

Indicates creating something new from available resources, changing the meaning from simple management.

resourcefully handle

Highlights the resourceful nature of dealing with a situation, changing the tone of the phrase.

find a workaround

Emphasizes finding a solution to a problem, with an inventive connotation, rather than simple management.

ad-lib

Focuses on improvisation and spontaneity, significantly shifting the meaning from resource management.

make shift

Emphasizes the use of temporary or makeshift solutions.

do the trick

Focuses on achieving a desired outcome, altering the original phrase's emphasis on dealing with limitations.

FAQs

How can I use "make do with doing" in a sentence?

Use "make do with doing" to describe managing a task or activity using limited resources or under constrained circumstances. For example: "We'll have to "make do with doing" the repairs ourselves."

What does "make do with doing" mean?

It means to manage or accomplish something with what is available, even if it's not ideal. It implies resourcefulness and adaptation to constraints.

What are some alternatives to "make do with doing"?

You can use alternatives like "manage with", "get by with", or "cope with" depending on the context.

Is "make do with doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, although it might sound slightly awkward or verbose to some. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in many cases.