more than doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than doing" can be used in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the value of something beyond its normal function. For example: "Learning to play the violin is more than doing an activity, it's a beautiful expression of art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ashcroft is more than doing a good job.

The New Yorker

It's about more than doing a controversial job.

The Guardian - Money

Creagh said: "The cull will cost more than doing nothing.

The Guardian

I like saying it more than doing it.

The Guardian

Service sector jobs are nothing more than doing each other's laundry.

University of California, Berkeley

He told the court : "Mr Webster was engaged in nothing more than doing his job".

Independent

There is really little that suggests consistency more than doing something 17 consecutive seasons.

The New York Times

Its mission is nothing more than doing what is interesting to Barry".

The New York Times

The government also accepted the culls could cost farmers more than doing nothing.

The Guardian

Don't fall into the "collaboration-washing" camp by talking more than doing.

Harvard Business Review

And so has the execution of a journalist who had been accused of nothing more than doing her job.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than doing" to highlight that an action's value or impact transcends its basic execution. For example, "Volunteering is "more than doing" community service; it's about fostering connections and making a real difference."

Common error

Avoid using "more than doing" when the comparison is negligible or unsupported by context. Ensure there's a genuine distinction or elevated purpose to warrant the comparison. For example, don't say "Drinking water is "more than doing" something to quench thirst" because that is the basic function of drinking water.

Linguistic Context

Functionally, "more than doing" acts as a comparative phrase, emphasizing that an action transcends its literal performance. It suggests additional layers of meaning, value, or impact, as supported by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more than doing" is a versatile phrase used to convey that an action's significance surpasses its basic execution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. It functions as a comparative phrase, highlighting the additional value or impact beyond the simple act of doing. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, its purpose is to elevate the perceived importance of an activity. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is genuine and adds meaningful context. Alternatives such as "rather than just doing" or "beyond merely doing" can provide similar emphasis with slight variations in meaning. The frequency of "more than doing" is very common, and it is generally acceptable to use in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more so than doing

This option highlights a greater degree of emphasis compared to the act of doing something.

more intensely than doing

This option suggests an increased level of intensity in comparison to simply acting or performing.

rather than just doing

This alternative emphasizes a preference or choice against simply performing an action.

rather than only doing

Similar to "rather than just doing", this implies exclusivity, surpassing a simple action.

beyond merely doing

This phrase suggests that the subject extends further than a basic action or activity.

surpassing merely doing

This alternative highlights the aspect of exceeding or going above the superficial action.

instead of simply doing

This focuses on replacing a simple action with something more complex or significant.

exceeding just doing

This phrase underscores the idea of surpassing the basic performance of an activity.

over and above doing

This emphasizes that something is additional or supplementary to the basic action.

more precisely than doing

This refines or specifies an action with greater exactness than merely doing it.

FAQs

How can I use "more than doing" in a sentence?

You can use "more than doing" to indicate that an activity involves or signifies something beyond its literal execution. For instance, "Learning a new language is "more than doing" vocabulary exercises; it's about understanding a new culture".

What are some alternatives to "more than doing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "rather than just doing", "beyond merely doing", or "instead of simply doing", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "more than doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "more than doing" is grammatically correct. It is used to emphasize that an action or activity encompasses something additional or of greater significance. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and widely used.

What's the difference between "more than doing" and "just doing"?

"More than doing" indicates an added layer of significance or value, while "just doing" implies a basic or limited action. For example, "Exercising is "more than doing" a workout; it's an investment in your long-term health", versus "I'm just doing my job".