would be doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express hypothetical scenarios, such as an action that would happen under a certain set of circumstances, or what someone would do in the future if something were to happen. For example, "If I had enough free time, I would be doing volunteer work at the local animal shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We would be doing the same things".

The New York Times

I would be doing something".

The New York Times - Sports

What else would be doing?

The Guardian - Sport

Otherwise, I would be doing this online.

The Guardian

We would be doing something more.

The Guardian - Opinion

If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What did I think I would be doing?

Yale University

If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Independent

You can't help but wonder what she would be doing.

Independent

If sleeping with people worked, I would be doing it.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm assuming that the regulator would be doing that".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be doing" to describe hypothetical actions or future actions contingent on certain conditions. For example, "If I had more time, I "would be doing" more volunteer work".

Common error

Avoid using "would be doing" when a simple future tense ("will be doing") is more appropriate for expressing a definite future action. "Would be doing" is best reserved for conditional or hypothetical scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be doing" functions as a conditional continuous aspect. It indicates a hypothetical action in progress at a specific point in the future, often dependent on certain conditions. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be doing" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe hypothetical or conditional actions in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts. When aiming for formality, alternatives such as "might be performing" or "could be carrying out" may be considered. Remember to reserve "would be doing" for conditional scenarios, as using it in place of simple future tense can be incorrect. Ludwig's examples provide ample illustrations of the phrase in action, solidifying its practical application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be performing

Uses "will" for a more definite future action.

might be performing

Replaces "would" with "might", suggesting a lower probability or possibility.

could be carrying out

Substitutes "doing" with "carrying out", emphasizing a more formal or official action.

may be executing

Uses "may" and "executing" for a more formal and potentially technical tone.

should be undertaking

Replaces "would" with "should", indicating a recommendation or obligation.

are supposed to be doing

Suggests an obligation or expectation, often with a hint of potential deviation.

are expected to do

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than a hypothetical situation.

are anticipated to do

Highlights the anticipation or expectation of the action.

are projected to do

Implies a projection or forecast of the action.

are going to do

Expresses a future intention or plan.

FAQs

How can I use "would be doing" in a sentence?

The phrase "would be doing" is used to describe a hypothetical or conditional action in the future. For example, "If I had more free time, I "would be doing" more reading."

What's a more formal alternative to "would be doing"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "might be performing" or "could be carrying out" which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

Is it ever incorrect to use "would be doing"?

Yes, it's incorrect to use "would be doing" when a simple future tense ("will be doing") is more appropriate for expressing a definite future action that isn't conditional. Reserve "would be doing" for hypothetical or conditional scenarios.

What's the difference between "will be doing" and "would be doing"?

"Will be doing" indicates a future action that is planned or expected to happen. "Would be doing" suggests a hypothetical action, contingent on a condition, or something that was expected to happen but didn't.