In So Doing vs. In Doing So – Which is Correct?
Both “in so doing” and “in doing so” are correct English phrases meaning “by doing that.” “In doing so” is more common and natural in everyday and professional writing, while “in so doing” sounds more formal or literary. Choose either based on tone, but keep the phrase’s referent clear and unambiguous.
In So Doing or In Doing So – Which is Correct?
Both in so doing and in doing so are grammatically correct. They are idiomatic phrases that mean by doing that, as a result of doing that, or while carrying out the action just mentioned.
In doing so is the more common choice in modern English. It works well in casual, academic, business, and professional writing. In so doing has the same meaning but generally sounds more formal, literary, legalistic, or old-fashioned.
The two expressions are usually interchangeable, although the surrounding sentence may make one sound more natural than the other.
Similar choices arise with verb complements, as “Help Do” explains how usage patterns affect what follows the verb.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the swap test: replace either phrase with “by doing that.” If the sentence still makes sense, the phrase is being used correctly.
For example: “She reviewed the evidence and, in doing so, discovered a crucial error.” This means “She reviewed the evidence and, by doing that, discovered a crucial error.” You could substitute in so doing, but the result would sound more formal.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| in so doing | Fixed adverbial phrase | By doing that; as a result of that action | In so doing, the committee clarified its position. |
| in doing so | Fixed adverbial phrase | By doing that; while carrying out the action | In doing so, the company reduced its costs. |
How to Use In So Doing
In so doing connects an action with a consequence, result, or related action. The word so refers back to something previously mentioned, such as a decision, behavior, or procedure. Because this phrase has a formal tone, it is especially common in essays, official reports, legal writing, formal speeches, and literary prose.
It often appears after a comma when it introduces a result at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. It can also appear at the end of a sentence, although that placement is less frequent.
Example 1: The researcher challenged the accepted theory and, in so doing, opened a new area of study.
Example 2: The judge emphasized the importance of fairness, in so doing reminding the jury to consider all the evidence.
Example 3: The author rejects the traditional interpretation and in so doing offers a fresh perspective on the novel.
Etymology of the Phrase In So Doing
The phrase combines the preposition in with so, meaning “in that way” or “by that action,” and the present participle doing. Similar constructions have been used in English for centuries. The inverted placement of so before doing contributes to the phrase’s formal and somewhat literary character.
How to Use In Doing So
In doing so has the same basic meaning as in so doing: by doing that or as a consequence of taking that action. It is the more natural and widely used version in contemporary English.
Use it when the phrase refers clearly to an action in the preceding clause. The expression is common in business communication, academic writing, instructions, journalism, and everyday speech. It can describe either a deliberate result or an outcome that follows from an action.
Example 1: The team updated its security system and, in doing so, protected customer data more effectively.
Example 2: Please save the document before closing the program; in doing so, you will prevent the loss of your changes.
Example 3: Maria volunteered to lead the project, and in doing so gained valuable management experience.
Etymology of the Phrase In Doing So
In doing so follows a straightforward English structure: the preposition in introduces the activity doing, while so refers back to an earlier action or situation. The phrase developed from the broader use of so to mean “in that manner” and has become the standard modern word order for this expression.
Related Concepts
Understanding reference, participles, and adverbial phrases makes it easier to use both expressions accurately.
- Adverbial phrase: Both expressions function as adverbial phrases because they explain how, why, or with what result an action occurs.
- Present participle: The word doing is the present participle of do. In these phrases, it helps describe an action rather than functioning as a standalone finite verb.
- Anaphoric reference: The word so points back to an action or idea already mentioned. The earlier reference should be clear to the reader.
- Dangling modifiers: The subject performing the action in the main clause should also be the subject understood in “doing.” Clear construction prevents confusing or unintended meanings.
Examples from Media and Literature
Both phrases appear in formal and semi-formal styles, although modern media usually favors in doing so.
- News reporting: A report may state that a government revised its policy and, in doing so, changed how public funds are distributed.
- Business writing: An annual report might explain that a company consolidated several departments and, in doing so, reduced administrative costs.
- Academic writing: A scholarly article may argue that a previous study overlooked an important variable and, in so doing, reached an incomplete conclusion.
- Historical literature: A narrator describing a leader’s decision might write that the ruler broke with tradition and, in so doing, transformed the political order.
- Film and television dialogue: A character might say, “You accepted the assignment and, in doing so, took responsibility for the entire team.”
Practice Exercises
Choose the phrase that best completes each sentence. In most cases, both choices are grammatically possible; select the one that best matches the stated tone.
- The scientist revised the experiment and, ________, improved the reliability of the results. (in so doing / in doing so)
- The contract was rewritten and, ________, removed several sources of confusion. (in so doing / in doing so)
- The novelist departs from the conventions of the period and, ________, creates a distinctive narrative voice. (in so doing / in doing so)
- He agreed to mentor the new employees and, ________, strengthened the entire department. (in so doing / in doing so)
- Which phrase is generally more natural in contemporary professional writing? (in so doing / in doing so)
Answer Key
- in doing so — This is the more common modern choice.
- in doing so — It fits naturally in neutral business writing.
- in so doing — Its formal, literary tone suits this sentence.
- in doing so — The phrase sounds natural in a workplace context.
- in doing so — It is the standard choice for most contemporary professional writing.
In So Doing Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| By doing that | Describes an action that produces a result. |
| In that way | Refers to the manner or method of an earlier action. |
| Thereby | Means “as a result of that action”; it is concise and formal. |
| As a result | Introduces an outcome caused by a previous action. |
In Doing So Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| By doing that | Explains that one action leads directly to another result. |
| While doing that | Emphasizes an action occurring during the process. |
| Thereby | Expresses the result of an action in a concise formal style. |
| As a consequence | Introduces an effect or outcome that follows an earlier action. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “in so doing” correct?
Yes. “In so doing” is a correct fixed phrase meaning “by doing that.” It is usually more formal or literary than “in doing so.”
Question 2: Is “in doing so” more common than “in so doing”?
Yes. “In doing so” is generally more common in contemporary English, particularly in everyday, business, academic, and professional writing.
Question 3: Can “in so doing” and “in doing so” be used interchangeably?
Usually, yes. Both refer to an action mentioned earlier and its consequence. The main difference is tone: “in doing so” is neutral, while “in so doing” tends to sound more formal.
Question 4: Should I put a comma before “in doing so”?
Often, yes, especially when the phrase introduces a result after a complete clause: “The company changed its policy and, in doing so, improved customer service.” Commas may vary depending on sentence structure and emphasis.
Question 5: What is the simplest replacement for both phrases?
The simplest replacement is usually “by doing that.” In some contexts, “thereby,” “as a result,” or “in that way” may also work.
Conclusion
In so doing and in doing so are both correct expressions with the meaning “by doing that.” Use in doing so for the most natural contemporary style, and choose in so doing when a more formal or literary tone is appropriate. Pro Tip: In professional writing, favor the clearer and more familiar “in doing so” unless the surrounding style specifically calls for formality.
