similar to doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"similar to doing" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "Studying for the exam was difficult, but similar to doing my taxes, I stayed focused and completed all the necessary work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's very similar to doing A-levels," says Bell.

Independent

Logging on to the web to look for donor sperm can be eerily similar to doing the weekly food shop.

The Guardian - Tech

The artwork, called Everybody Razzle Dazzle, is the biggest of Blake's long career, but creating it was similar to doing a small watercolour, he said.

The Guardian

I could have gone traveling, but sitting in the corner not saying anything in a far-off land would have been very similar to doing the same thing in the UK.

Vice

Several women described their experience as being similar to doing meditation where the repetitive motion of paddling, finding unison of stroke with team-mates, and enjoying 'being in the present' was described as a powerful means of managing stress.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Similar to doing search on the UCSC genome browser, a genomic location in the format of chr1 1000 20 000 can be entered as a search keyword to retrieve all the data within this region.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Of course, it definitely pays for anyone thinking of doing something similar to do their research.

Independent

Their styles might be too similar to do an entire album, actually, but for one number it works perfectly.

Huffington Post

In contrast, heavy metal and antibiotic levels were generally high and followed spatial patterns similar to DO and TDS.

Environmental Science & Technology

Use a fabric marker or similar to do this.

WikiHow

I've used other similar to-do programs in the past and always found them too cumbersome or complicated.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "similar to doing", ensure that the comparison is clear and the context provides a valid basis for the similarity. For example, "Programming in Python is similar to doing mathematical calculations; both require logical thinking".

Common error

Avoid using "similar to doing" when the actions being compared are fundamentally different and lack a meaningful connection. For instance, avoid saying "Eating pizza is similar to doing brain surgery" unless you are making a satirical analogy.

Linguistic Context

"Similar to doing" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a comparison. It relates an action or process to another, indicating resemblance or analogy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

25%

News & Media

23%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "similar to doing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase to draw comparisons between actions and processes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in Wiki, News & Media and Science. While versatile, ensure the comparison is logical and well-defined. Alternatives such as "akin to doing" or "comparable to doing" can be used to add variety to your writing. Remember that clarity and relevance are key when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

akin to doing

This alternative uses a more formal synonym for "similar".

comparable to doing

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of being able to be compared.

resembling doing

This alternative focuses on visual or superficial similarity.

analogous to doing

This alternative suggests a deeper, more structural similarity.

much like doing

This alternative uses a more informal and emphatic phrasing.

in a similar way to doing

This alternative adds more words and express similarity by using a "way".

on a par with doing

This alternative implies equality in quality or status.

bears a resemblance to doing

This alternative focuses on the act of bearing resemblance.

mirrors doing

This alternative suggests a reflection or close correspondence.

has parallels with doing

This alternative emphasizes the existence of corresponding features.

FAQs

How can I use "similar to doing" in a sentence?

You can use "similar to doing" to draw a comparison between two actions or processes. For example, "Baking a cake is similar to doing a science experiment; both require precise measurements and careful observation".

What are some alternatives to "similar to doing"?

You can use alternatives like "akin to doing", "comparable to doing", or "resembling doing" depending on the context.

Is "similar to do" grammatically correct?

No, "similar to do" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "similar to doing", which uses the gerund form of the verb.

What's the difference between "similar to doing" and "similar to done"?

"Similar to doing" compares ongoing actions or processes, while "similar to done" is less common and might be used to compare completed tasks or outcomes. The former is generally preferred for clarity and grammatical correctness.