that doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that doing" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be used in contexts where "that" refers to a specific action or activity, but it typically requires additional context to be meaningful. Example: "I appreciate that doing the extra work will benefit the team."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So what is a guy like that doing supporting Trump?

The Guardian - Opinion

That doing something good means staying up all night.

Vice

It is clear from the present study that doing so is not always a simple proposition.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

There is widespread emphasis that "doing the month" properly will safeguard future health.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

What is that doing there?

The New York Times - Sports

What is that doing to the market?

The New York Times

I'd be like, what's that doing there?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But we also know that doing nothing is a problem.

The New Yorker

Others warn that doing so would be imprudent.

The New York Times

Some say that doing so would help to reduce unemployment.

The New York Times

It's energizing, not that doing a game isn't".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "that doing" in formal writing. Rephrase your sentence for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Do not use "that doing" as a substitute for more grammatically sound constructions. Ensure the sentence has a clear subject and verb. Instead of "that doing", try "the act of doing", "the process of doing", or "by doing so".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that doing" often functions as a nominalization, attempting to treat an action as a noun. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is generally grammatically incorrect in standard English. The examples found often need restructuring for clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that doing" is frequently used, but it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI advises against its use in formal writing. While examples exist, they often require rephrasing for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Better alternatives include constructions like "the act of doing", "the process of doing", or "by doing so", which provide greater precision and adhere to standard grammatical conventions. This makes your writing clearer and more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the act of doing that

This alternative specifies the action as "the act", making the sentence grammatically correct.

the process of doing that

Using "the process" frames the action as a procedure, improving grammatical flow.

by doing that

This alternative clearly indicates a method or means.

the fact that doing that

This option highlights the reality or truth of performing the action.

that by doing so

This alternative adds a conditional element, implying a result from the action.

if you do that

This is a more direct conditional statement.

that to do that

This phrasing employs an infinitive, providing a goal or intention.

that in doing so

This version emphasizes the manner in which the action is performed.

that upon doing that

This option specifies a moment in time when the action occurs.

when doing that

This alternative specifies the timing.

FAQs

How can I correctly use a phrase similar to "that doing"?

Replace "that doing" with phrases like "the act of doing that", "the process of doing that", or "by doing that" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "that doing"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "the act of doing /s/the+act+of+doing+that", "the process of doing /s/the+process+of+doing+that", or "by doing /s/by+doing+that+" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "that doing" considered grammatically correct in English?

No, "that doing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use more explicit and grammatically sound constructions.

When is it acceptable to use "that doing"?

While it may appear in colloquial speech, avoid using "that doing" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "the act of doing", "the process of doing", or "by doing so".