Doing

'duːɪŋ

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings3 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To perform an action, complete a task, or engage in an activity.

'duːɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
Action

Performing an action or activity

She is doing her best to help.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a Lego castle. 'Doing' is when you put the bricks together. So when you are making something or taking action, that's 'doing'.

👶 For kids: Making something happen!

More Examples

2

What are you doing this weekend?

3

He's doing a great job on the project.

How It's Used

General

"I am doing my homework."

Business

"The company is doing well."

2

An action or activity, especially in reference to the effects or consequences.

'duːɪŋ

nounneutralmedium
Action

An act or activity.

His doings were often questionable.

💡 Simply: Like the work you do, or the result you get from doing something. If you were painting a picture, the 'doing' is the painting itself.

👶 For kids: The thing that you did!

More Examples

2

The artist's paintings were his doings.

3

His past doings had repercussions.

How It's Used

General

"Your actions are your doings."

Tip:Focus on the outcome and actions taken.

Idioms & expressions

doing time

To be serving a sentence in prison.

"He was doing time for robbery."

How are you doing?

A common greeting used to inquire about someone's well-being or current situation.

"How are you doing today?"

doing business

Engaging in commercial activities or transactions.

"They are doing business with international partners."

From the Old English verb *dōn* ('to do'), which has Germanic origins. It's the present participle of 'do'.

The word 'doing' has been used in the English language for centuries, evolving from the Old English verb 'dōn'.

Memory tip

Think of it as the action in a sentence. If it's not happening, it's not 'doing'.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"to do, to act, to perform"

doing welldoing a good jobdoing homeworkdoing businessdoing time

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written