they do that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they do that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific action or behavior that a group of people or entities consistently performs. Example: "When faced with challenges, they do that to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Why would they do that?

Forbes

"How do they do that?

The New York Times - Magazine

How did they do that?

The New York Times

How would they do that?

The Economist

Will they do that?

The Guardian

"Why they do that?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Now they did that".

The New Yorker

How are they doing that?

The New York Times

Why are they doing that?

The New York Times

They did that for us.

The New York Times

"Why were they doing that?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they do that" when referring to a habitual action or a common practice performed by a group, ensuring the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to. For instance, "Scientists often use complex statistical models; they do that to ensure the accuracy of their findings."

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear antecedent to prevent confusion. Instead of saying "The team made several changes; they do that regularly", specify which entity "they" refers to: "The team made several changes; the management does that regularly to adapt to market trends."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they do that" functions as a clause expressing agreement, observation, or explanation of a recurring action or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. The pronoun "they" refers to a previously mentioned group or entity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they do that" is a versatile expression used to describe a habitual action or common practice. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable, it's essential to ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear referent to avoid ambiguity. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "that is what they do" or "it's typical of them". Remember to maintain clarity and tailor your language to suit your audience and purpose for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is what they do

Emphasizes the habitual or characteristic nature of the action.

that's their usual practice

Highlights the routine or customary aspect of the behavior.

it's typical of them

Focuses on the action as being representative of the group's character.

that is their modus operandi

Presents the action as a deliberate and established method.

they often act that way

Highlights the frequency of the action.

they tend to do that

Suggests a natural inclination or tendency towards the action.

it is their wont

A more formal and archaic way of saying it's their custom.

that's how they operate

Focuses on the practical execution and method of their actions.

they are known for that

Indicates that the action is a recognized attribute or reputation.

it's part of their routine

Emphasizes the action's integration into a regular or scheduled pattern.

FAQs

What does "they do that" mean?

The phrase "they do that" generally refers to a habitual action or behavior that a group or entity consistently performs. It implies a recurring practice or characteristic activity.

How can I use "they do that" in a sentence?

You can use "they do that" to describe a common action. For example: "Whenever faced with a problem, engineers run simulations; they do that to test different solutions."

What are some alternatives to saying "they do that"?

You can use alternatives like "that is what they do", "that's their usual practice", or "it's typical of them" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "they do that" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "they do that" might be considered informal for certain types of formal writing. In those cases, consider using a more formal alternative such as "that is their modus operandi" or "it is their wont" for added precision and sophistication.