while doing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while doing that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action is occurring simultaneously with another action. Example: "She was listening to music while doing that, which helped her concentrate better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It should remain open so others may experience what I did, all the while doing that most important of human activities, reading.

Vice

While doing that, Rove discovered his true calling.

The Guardian

While doing that and more, Mr. Guber wobbled through plenty of failures.

The New York Times

He would shop for food in Chinatown, and while doing that one day not long ago, he noticed signs for Mulberry Street in both English and Chinese.

The New York Times - Magazine

While doing that, Mr. Blum said, he realized it "was impossible to follow the contours of the district," because they were drawn to segregate minority voters.

The New York Times

He added that one woman, who had been born in a concentration camp, "had a complete breakdown" while doing that scene.

The New Yorker

"I think it was while doing that last number that I learned that you can get laughs by leering," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Mrs. Allerdyce tells about another boarder, Charles a hairdresser, who started to cut her hair and while doing that got into a quarrel with another young man.

The New Yorker

While doing that research, Dr. Rowe discovered that the each individual's skin spectral pattern, when illuminated by different wavelengths of light, is unique.

The New York Times - Tech

"And while doing that, I learned that with just a click of a mouse, I could actually order -- and I did this, I'm embarrassed to say -- I ordered Arkansas smoked ham and sausage delivered to my door".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Shift, and while your doing that, click on the wolf and select "Make unselectable".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while doing that" to clearly indicate that two actions are happening at the same time. This helps to avoid ambiguity and makes your writing more concise.

Common error

Avoid using "while doing that" when the 'that' is unclear. Ensure the action 'that' refers to is explicitly stated or easily understood from the context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while doing that" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the time or circumstances under which an action occurs. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to connect simultaneous actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

20%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while doing that" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to indicate simultaneous actions. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news media and online articles. While its meaning is generally clear, ensuring that 'that' refers to a specific and understood action is crucial for clarity. Consider more formal alternatives like "simultaneously" or "concurrently" in academic or professional writing. The phrase's frequency and wide usage confirm its place as a standard element in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simultaneously doing that

Emphasizes the concurrent nature of the actions more explicitly.

at the same time as doing that

Replaces "while" with a more descriptive phrase, highlighting simultaneity.

during that activity

Substitutes "doing that" with a more formal reference to the activity.

as that was being done

Changes the structure to passive voice, focusing on the action being performed.

in the process of doing that

Highlights that the action is part of an ongoing process.

whilst engaged in that

Replaces "while doing that" with a more formal expression.

concomitantly with that action

Uses a more technical term ("concomitantly") to indicate simultaneous occurrence.

concurrently performing that action

Emphasizes the simultaneous performance of the action.

in tandem with doing that

Implies a coordinated simultaneous action.

alongside carrying out that

Suggests performing another activity or task at the same time.

FAQs

How can I use "while doing that" in a sentence?

Use "while doing that" to connect two simultaneous actions. For example, "He listened to the podcast while doing that, and took notes".

What are some alternatives to using "while doing that"?

You can use alternatives like "simultaneously doing that", "at the same time as doing that", or "during that activity" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "while doing that"?

Starting a sentence with "while doing that" is grammatically correct, but it's important to ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates what "that" refers to. It's often better to use it within the sentence to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "while doing that" and "while doing so"?

"While doing that" refers to a specific action previously mentioned. "While doing so" is more general and can refer to a broader situation or implied action. For example, "He enjoyed the task and learned a lot while doing so".