the one doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the one doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific person who is actively performing an action. For example, "Mary was the one doing the majority of the work on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You are the one doing the abandoning.

The New York Times - Magazine

She's not the one doing the favour.

The Guardian - Music

And if you're the one doing the talking?

The New Yorker

But for now, the one doing the homework is me.

The New York Times

This time she was the one doing the chasing.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yes," came the reply, "the one doing 42 years.

The Guardian

Smith should be the one doing the apologizing.

The Guardian - Film

Last night, he was the one doing the hurting.

The New York Times

In the topsy-turvy afterlife of reputation and esteem, Holmes is the one doing the killing.

The New York Times - Books

There's no doubt Djokovic is the one doing the pushing and the probing in this set.

The Guardian - Sport

Each of you at times will think you're the one doing more work.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the one doing" to clearly identify the person performing an action, especially when contrasting with others or emphasizing responsibility. For example, "She was "the one doing" the research, so she presented the findings."

Common error

Avoid using "the one doing" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language such as "the individual responsible" or "the agent performing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the one doing" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object complement in a sentence. It identifies a specific individual performing an action, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "This time she was "the one doing" the chasing."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

21%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the one doing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to specify the individual performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts and might be perceived as slightly informal in highly formal settings. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "the person responsible" or "the individual performing" in such situations. Be mindful of potential overuse and ensure that it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. Its primary purpose is to emphasize agency and clarify roles, making it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the person who is doing

Expands the phrase with "who is" for added clarity, though it becomes more verbose.

the person responsible

Focuses more explicitly on accountability for an action.

the individual performing

Replaces "one" with "individual" and "doing" with "performing", offering a slightly more formal tone.

the active participant

Highlights the involvement and engagement in the action.

the party acting

Uses legal or formal terminology, highlighting the role of the actor.

the agent executing

Emphasizes the active role of carrying out a task or plan.

the prime mover

Implies being the initiator or driving force behind the action.

the subject undertaking

Presents the action as a more formal or significant endeavor.

the doer of

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct, though less common, expression.

the one in charge

Shifts the focus to leadership and control over the action.

FAQs

How can I use "the one doing" in a sentence?

Use "the one doing" to specify who is performing a particular action, especially when distinguishing them from others. For instance, "He wasn't just watching; he was "the one doing" the repairs."

What are some alternatives to "the one doing"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "the person responsible", "the individual performing", or "the party acting".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "the one doing"?

While grammatically correct, "the one doing" might sound too informal in certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using a more formal alternative like "the agent executing" or "the prime mover" in such situations.

What's the difference between "the one doing" and "the one responsible"?

"The one doing" simply identifies the actor, while "the one responsible" implies accountability or blame. For example, "She was "the one doing" the cooking" describes the action, whereas "She was the one responsible for the burnt dinner" assigns blame.