on doing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on doing something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a focus or emphasis on the act of performing a specific action or task. Example: "She is keen on doing something meaningful with her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I imagine I'll carry on doing something in this line, even if only for a couple of days a week, for as long as I'm able.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have put my mind on doing something that no-one had ever done before and there was nothing that was going to stand in my way".

BBC

So I'm planning on doing something that involves living in more than one place.

Cornell University

"I wanted to keep on doing something new," he says.

The Guardian - Music

"But I was intent on doing something else".

The New York Times - Sports

The President has not, in fact, given up on doing something about climate change.

The New Yorker

There seems to be more focus on doing something about the drug problem.

The New Yorker

After returning home, they were intent on doing something to help.

The New York Times

"But it gives us the opportunity to focus on doing something even better".

The New York Times

You don't fly in unless you're really, really intent on doing something.

The New York Times - Sports

If you're a celeb and plan on doing something stupid now is your chance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on doing something", ensure the context clearly defines the action. This phrase works best when the 'something' is specific or implied within the surrounding text. For example: "They are focused "on doing something" meaningful with their lives."

Common error

Avoid using "on doing something" when the action lacks clarity. Instead of saying "He's planning "on doing something"", specify the activity: "He's planning on volunteering at the shelter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on doing something" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate focus, intention, or engagement in an activity. Ludwig AI validates this through its examples, showing its common use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on doing something" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express focus, intent, or engagement in an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. It is particularly effective when the action is clearly defined or implied. While alternatives like "focused on" or "planning to" exist, "on doing something" maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communication needs. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and specificity to enhance the overall impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focused on acting

Emphasizes concentration and performance of an action.

intent on achieving

Highlights purposefulness and the goal-oriented nature of the action.

planning to undertake

Focuses on the preparatory stage of an activity.

committed to performing

Emphasizes dedication and follow-through in completing the task.

engaged in pursuing

Indicates active involvement and dedication towards the action.

busy with working

Highlights the involvement and effort in performing something.

determined to execute

Shows a strong resolve to carry out the task.

set on carrying out

Illustrates a fixed intent to implement the action.

concentrating on realizing

Focuses on directing attention and effort to make something real or achievable.

resolve to complete

Highlights the decision and steadfastness in finishing the activity.

FAQs

How can I use "on doing something" in a sentence?

Use "on doing something" to express focus or intent toward a specific action. For example: "She is keen "on doing something" that benefits the community."

What are some alternatives to "on doing something"?

Alternatives include "focused on", "intent on", or "planning to", depending on the intended nuance.

Is it better to say "focused on doing something" or "focused to do something"?

"Focused on doing something" is generally preferred because "on" is a preposition that requires a gerund (doing). "Focused to do something" is less common and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "planning on doing something" and "planning to do something"?

"Planning on doing something" and "planning to do something" are often interchangeable, but "planning on doing something" can imply a slightly less formal or certain intention.