of doing so

USAGE SUMMARY

"of doing so" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that has just been discussed, for example: "We must take steps to prevent the situation from worsening, and the first step is to inform the relevant authorities. The importance of doing so cannot be understated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They show no sign of doing so.

The Economist

Some have accused it of doing so.

The Economist

She had no intention of doing so.

The New York Times

The prospect of doing so looks real.

The Economist

However, the implications of doing so have not been studied.

Social Science & Medicine

It has no intention of doing so.

Harvard Business Review

I have every intention of doing so.

The New York Times

There is every prospect of doing so".

The Guardian

Be very wary of doing so.

The Guardian - Money

"He's capable of doing so much better".

The New York Times

Is it capable of doing so?

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear what action "so" refers to, to prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "of doing so" if the action it refers to is not immediately clear from the preceding sentence, as this can confuse the reader. Restate the action for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of doing so" functions as a prepositional phrase. It often acts as an adverbial modifier, providing additional information about a verb or clause. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of doing so" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to enhance conciseness and avoid repetition in writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its prevalence in contexts like news and media, science, and formal business highlights its broad applicability. When using "of doing so", ensure that the reference is clear to prevent ambiguity and maintain coherence. Remember to consider context when you have to select a good "synonym".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in doing that

Uses a different pronoun to refer to a previously mentioned action.

in performing it

Replaces the general term 'so' with the explicit pronoun 'it'.

in so acting

A more formal and concise way of expressing the same idea.

through that action

Specifies that the outcome is achieved through a particular action.

by acting accordingly

Focuses on performing an action that aligns with a prior statement or situation.

by taking that step

Emphasizes the act of initiating an action.

in that regard

Highlights a specific aspect or detail related to the action.

through that process

Focuses on achieving something by way of a specific series of steps.

when acting in that manner

Highlights the specific way of acting and it's relation to the previous context.

by that measure

Refers to doing something by using a specific plan or action.

FAQs

How can I use "of doing so" in a sentence?

Use "of doing so" to refer back to an action or activity already mentioned. For example, "The company considered expanding its operations, but the risks "of doing so" were too great."

What's a more formal alternative to "of doing so"?

A more formal alternative could be "in so acting" or "in performing it", though these options might sound somewhat stilted in modern usage. Consider the context and audience when choosing a substitute.

Is it ever incorrect to use "of doing so"?

It's not grammatically incorrect, but it can be unclear if the action being referred to is ambiguous. Ensure the context makes the reference clear to avoid confusion.

What is the difference between "of doing so" and "of doing that"?

While both refer to a prior action, "of doing so" is generally used when referring to a more general concept or activity, while "of doing that" may refer to a more specific instance. The difference is subtle and context-dependent.