Can the word “doing” be used in singular for activity without a goal?
I'm looking for a word, that describes activity without a specific goal. (Its opposite, activity with a goal, would be "project".)
The best candidate for me is currently the word "doing". But I'm not an English native speaker and not sure, whether it's a good choice.
- Can the word "doing" be used in singular?
- Can it be used for "activity without a specific goal"?
This question got a lot of comments and a long discussion about the word "goal" and if there can be an activity without a goal. So I want to reference here my explanation "To the meaning of 'goal' in this context" in another question.
single-word-requests meaning-in-context ambiguity
asked 2 days ago
automatix
1114
New contributor
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I'm looking for a word, that describes activity without a specific goal. (Its opposite, activity with a goal, would be "project".)
The best candidate for me is currently the word "doing". But I'm not an English native speaker and not sure, whether it's a good choice.
- Can the word "doing" be used in singular?
- Can it be used for "activity without a specific goal"?
This question got a lot of comments and a long discussion about the word "goal" and if there can be an activity without a goal. So I want to reference here my explanation "To the meaning of 'goal' in this context" in another question.
single-word-requests meaning-in-context ambiguity
asked 2 days ago
automatix
1114
New contributor
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Please add a sample sentence where the word you’re looking for would be used (indicate the word with ____). Your current wording is quite vague, and it’s difficult to tell exactly what you’re looking for.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
Wait, I just saw your previous question. That is pretty much the same as this one, so you should combine the two into one (if you feel something in this question is missing in the earlier one, just edit it in, and then delete this one).
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
@JanusBahsJacquet I'm absolutely not a fan of duplicating questions and understand your point. But in this case, what I'm asking about in the second question, is actually another facet. Yes, my goal is still to find the word for "activity without a defined goal". But the question is about the word "doing" and its usage.
– automatix
2 days ago
I fail to see how this is not really a duplicate of the other question, aside from simply being more specific. (I suppose you could keep asking the same question but replace doing with another word each time. But that doesn't seem fruitful.) I still believe your premise is flawed. You can have aimless activity, but I don't think you can point to any given type of activity and say it will always be without some goal—even if it's only to perform the activity itself.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
@JasonBassford Please read my comments: "goal", "sense<>goal", and "goals for tasks".
– automatix
2 days ago
add a comment |
I'm looking for a word, that describes activity without a specific goal. (Its opposite, activity with a goal, would be "project".)
The best candidate for me is currently the word "doing". But I'm not an English native speaker and not sure, whether it's a good choice.
- Can the word "doing" be used in singular?
- Can it be used for "activity without a specific goal"?
This question got a lot of comments and a long discussion about the word "goal" and if there can be an activity without a goal. So I want to reference here my explanation "To the meaning of 'goal' in this context" in another question.
single-word-requests meaning-in-context ambiguity
asked 2 days ago
automatix
1114
New contributor
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I'm looking for a word, that describes activity without a specific goal. (Its opposite, activity with a goal, would be "project".)
The best candidate for me is currently the word "doing". But I'm not an English native speaker and not sure, whether it's a good choice.
- Can the word "doing" be used in singular?
- Can it be used for "activity without a specific goal"?
This question got a lot of comments and a long discussion about the word "goal" and if there can be an activity without a goal. So I want to reference here my explanation "To the meaning of 'goal' in this context" in another question.
single-word-requests meaning-in-context ambiguity
single-word-requests meaning-in-context ambiguity
asked 2 days ago
automatix
1114
New contributor
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
automatix
1114
New contributor
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 4 hours ago
asked 2 days ago
automatix
1114
New contributor
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 2 days ago
automatix
1114
asked 2 days ago
automatix
1114
1114
New contributor
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
automatix is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Please add a sample sentence where the word you’re looking for would be used (indicate the word with ____). Your current wording is quite vague, and it’s difficult to tell exactly what you’re looking for.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
Wait, I just saw your previous question. That is pretty much the same as this one, so you should combine the two into one (if you feel something in this question is missing in the earlier one, just edit it in, and then delete this one).
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
@JanusBahsJacquet I'm absolutely not a fan of duplicating questions and understand your point. But in this case, what I'm asking about in the second question, is actually another facet. Yes, my goal is still to find the word for "activity without a defined goal". But the question is about the word "doing" and its usage.
– automatix
2 days ago
I fail to see how this is not really a duplicate of the other question, aside from simply being more specific. (I suppose you could keep asking the same question but replace doing with another word each time. But that doesn't seem fruitful.) I still believe your premise is flawed. You can have aimless activity, but I don't think you can point to any given type of activity and say it will always be without some goal—even if it's only to perform the activity itself.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
@JasonBassford Please read my comments: "goal", "sense<>goal", and "goals for tasks".
– automatix
2 days ago
add a comment |
Please add a sample sentence where the word you’re looking for would be used (indicate the word with ____). Your current wording is quite vague, and it’s difficult to tell exactly what you’re looking for.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
Wait, I just saw your previous question. That is pretty much the same as this one, so you should combine the two into one (if you feel something in this question is missing in the earlier one, just edit it in, and then delete this one).
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
@JanusBahsJacquet I'm absolutely not a fan of duplicating questions and understand your point. But in this case, what I'm asking about in the second question, is actually another facet. Yes, my goal is still to find the word for "activity without a defined goal". But the question is about the word "doing" and its usage.
– automatix
2 days ago
I fail to see how this is not really a duplicate of the other question, aside from simply being more specific. (I suppose you could keep asking the same question but replace doing with another word each time. But that doesn't seem fruitful.) I still believe your premise is flawed. You can have aimless activity, but I don't think you can point to any given type of activity and say it will always be without some goal—even if it's only to perform the activity itself.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
@JasonBassford Please read my comments: "goal", "sense<>goal", and "goals for tasks".
– automatix
2 days ago
Please add a sample sentence where the word you’re looking for would be used (indicate the word with ____). Your current wording is quite vague, and it’s difficult to tell exactly what you’re looking for.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
Please add a sample sentence where the word you’re looking for would be used (indicate the word with ____). Your current wording is quite vague, and it’s difficult to tell exactly what you’re looking for.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
Wait, I just saw your previous question. That is pretty much the same as this one, so you should combine the two into one (if you feel something in this question is missing in the earlier one, just edit it in, and then delete this one).
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
Wait, I just saw your previous question. That is pretty much the same as this one, so you should combine the two into one (if you feel something in this question is missing in the earlier one, just edit it in, and then delete this one).
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
@JanusBahsJacquet I'm absolutely not a fan of duplicating questions and understand your point. But in this case, what I'm asking about in the second question, is actually another facet. Yes, my goal is still to find the word for "activity without a defined goal". But the question is about the word "doing" and its usage.
– automatix
2 days ago
@JanusBahsJacquet I'm absolutely not a fan of duplicating questions and understand your point. But in this case, what I'm asking about in the second question, is actually another facet. Yes, my goal is still to find the word for "activity without a defined goal". But the question is about the word "doing" and its usage.
– automatix
2 days ago
I fail to see how this is not really a duplicate of the other question, aside from simply being more specific. (I suppose you could keep asking the same question but replace doing with another word each time. But that doesn't seem fruitful.) I still believe your premise is flawed. You can have aimless activity, but I don't think you can point to any given type of activity and say it will always be without some goal—even if it's only to perform the activity itself.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
I fail to see how this is not really a duplicate of the other question, aside from simply being more specific. (I suppose you could keep asking the same question but replace doing with another word each time. But that doesn't seem fruitful.) I still believe your premise is flawed. You can have aimless activity, but I don't think you can point to any given type of activity and say it will always be without some goal—even if it's only to perform the activity itself.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
@JasonBassford Please read my comments: "goal", "sense
<> goal", and "goals for tasks".– automatix
2 days ago
@JasonBassford Please read my comments: "goal", "sense
<> goal", and "goals for tasks".– automatix
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
One may use “doing” in singular, for example: John Doe is doing well. Jane Doe is doing fine. Each of these are implying daily life activity without a specific goal, but really communicating John or Janes state of being.
It’s difficult to pair an activity without a goal because of cause and effect. Even the most meaningless activity is acted upon as response to some stimulus.
answered 2 days ago
James Axsom
583
1
In "John Doe is doing well", "doing" is a verb.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
No kidding, Hot Licks. Doing is a verb. Doing has an abstract context to an activity.
– James Axsom
2 days ago
add a comment |
This is a complicated question because you're not specifying which "doing" you mean.
The word "doing" can be several different things.
1) Noun. This is the only case in which a singular and a plural exist.
Example: "Is that mess in your bedroom your doing?"
"The shady doings of my husband caused me to file for divorce."
As a noun "doing" or "doings" always mean an action.
2) Verb. Doing can be two different forms of the verb "to do."
A) Present Participle.
In this case it expresses continued activity. Example "I am doing the best I can."
B) Gerund.
Gerunds are used the same way as nouns. Example: Doing the right thing is
important."
I am not sure what you mean by "activity without a goal" as the word "activity" implies some kind of action by definition.
If you were to use the phrase "doing nothing" there's no specific goal involved but some
people would say "nothing" is the goal. In other words, to be inactive. I can't think of a case where you can use the word "doing" whether as a noun or a verb to show actions without intended results.
When a project is shut down it is said to be no longer active or to be inactive. Maybe that's what you're looking for. No "doing" is used here.
Procrastination is doing nothing because you're unsure of how or when to do it. The verb form is to procrastinate. Maybe that could help.
The use of "no doing" means lack of action. For example "I was seen as irresponsible through no doing of my own." It means I didn't do anything to deserve to be seen in that light. Again no activity.
The word project doesn't have an opposite. It's just be the lack or nonexistence of a project.
answered 2 days ago
Loroxxx
11
New contributor
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Also keep in mind that "doing" is often substituted for the noun "do" when it means a party or event of some sort.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
One may use “doing” in singular, for example: John Doe is doing well. Jane Doe is doing fine. Each of these are implying daily life activity without a specific goal, but really communicating John or Janes state of being.
It’s difficult to pair an activity without a goal because of cause and effect. Even the most meaningless activity is acted upon as response to some stimulus.
answered 2 days ago
James Axsom
583
1
In "John Doe is doing well", "doing" is a verb.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
No kidding, Hot Licks. Doing is a verb. Doing has an abstract context to an activity.
– James Axsom
2 days ago
add a comment |
One may use “doing” in singular, for example: John Doe is doing well. Jane Doe is doing fine. Each of these are implying daily life activity without a specific goal, but really communicating John or Janes state of being.
It’s difficult to pair an activity without a goal because of cause and effect. Even the most meaningless activity is acted upon as response to some stimulus.
answered 2 days ago
James Axsom
583
1
In "John Doe is doing well", "doing" is a verb.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
No kidding, Hot Licks. Doing is a verb. Doing has an abstract context to an activity.
– James Axsom
2 days ago
add a comment |
One may use “doing” in singular, for example: John Doe is doing well. Jane Doe is doing fine. Each of these are implying daily life activity without a specific goal, but really communicating John or Janes state of being.
It’s difficult to pair an activity without a goal because of cause and effect. Even the most meaningless activity is acted upon as response to some stimulus.
answered 2 days ago
James Axsom
583
One may use “doing” in singular, for example: John Doe is doing well. Jane Doe is doing fine. Each of these are implying daily life activity without a specific goal, but really communicating John or Janes state of being.
It’s difficult to pair an activity without a goal because of cause and effect. Even the most meaningless activity is acted upon as response to some stimulus.
answered 2 days ago
James Axsom
583
answered 2 days ago
James Axsom
583
answered 2 days ago
James Axsom
583
answered 2 days ago
James Axsom
583
583
1
In "John Doe is doing well", "doing" is a verb.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
No kidding, Hot Licks. Doing is a verb. Doing has an abstract context to an activity.
– James Axsom
2 days ago
add a comment |
1
In "John Doe is doing well", "doing" is a verb.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
No kidding, Hot Licks. Doing is a verb. Doing has an abstract context to an activity.
– James Axsom
2 days ago
1
1
In "John Doe is doing well", "doing" is a verb.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
In "John Doe is doing well", "doing" is a verb.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
No kidding, Hot Licks. Doing is a verb. Doing has an abstract context to an activity.
– James Axsom
2 days ago
No kidding, Hot Licks. Doing is a verb. Doing has an abstract context to an activity.
– James Axsom
2 days ago
add a comment |
This is a complicated question because you're not specifying which "doing" you mean.
The word "doing" can be several different things.
1) Noun. This is the only case in which a singular and a plural exist.
Example: "Is that mess in your bedroom your doing?"
"The shady doings of my husband caused me to file for divorce."
As a noun "doing" or "doings" always mean an action.
2) Verb. Doing can be two different forms of the verb "to do."
A) Present Participle.
In this case it expresses continued activity. Example "I am doing the best I can."
B) Gerund.
Gerunds are used the same way as nouns. Example: Doing the right thing is
important."
I am not sure what you mean by "activity without a goal" as the word "activity" implies some kind of action by definition.
If you were to use the phrase "doing nothing" there's no specific goal involved but some
people would say "nothing" is the goal. In other words, to be inactive. I can't think of a case where you can use the word "doing" whether as a noun or a verb to show actions without intended results.
When a project is shut down it is said to be no longer active or to be inactive. Maybe that's what you're looking for. No "doing" is used here.
Procrastination is doing nothing because you're unsure of how or when to do it. The verb form is to procrastinate. Maybe that could help.
The use of "no doing" means lack of action. For example "I was seen as irresponsible through no doing of my own." It means I didn't do anything to deserve to be seen in that light. Again no activity.
The word project doesn't have an opposite. It's just be the lack or nonexistence of a project.
answered 2 days ago
Loroxxx
11
New contributor
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Also keep in mind that "doing" is often substituted for the noun "do" when it means a party or event of some sort.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
add a comment |
This is a complicated question because you're not specifying which "doing" you mean.
The word "doing" can be several different things.
1) Noun. This is the only case in which a singular and a plural exist.
Example: "Is that mess in your bedroom your doing?"
"The shady doings of my husband caused me to file for divorce."
As a noun "doing" or "doings" always mean an action.
2) Verb. Doing can be two different forms of the verb "to do."
A) Present Participle.
In this case it expresses continued activity. Example "I am doing the best I can."
B) Gerund.
Gerunds are used the same way as nouns. Example: Doing the right thing is
important."
I am not sure what you mean by "activity without a goal" as the word "activity" implies some kind of action by definition.
If you were to use the phrase "doing nothing" there's no specific goal involved but some
people would say "nothing" is the goal. In other words, to be inactive. I can't think of a case where you can use the word "doing" whether as a noun or a verb to show actions without intended results.
When a project is shut down it is said to be no longer active or to be inactive. Maybe that's what you're looking for. No "doing" is used here.
Procrastination is doing nothing because you're unsure of how or when to do it. The verb form is to procrastinate. Maybe that could help.
The use of "no doing" means lack of action. For example "I was seen as irresponsible through no doing of my own." It means I didn't do anything to deserve to be seen in that light. Again no activity.
The word project doesn't have an opposite. It's just be the lack or nonexistence of a project.
answered 2 days ago
Loroxxx
11
New contributor
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Also keep in mind that "doing" is often substituted for the noun "do" when it means a party or event of some sort.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
add a comment |
This is a complicated question because you're not specifying which "doing" you mean.
The word "doing" can be several different things.
1) Noun. This is the only case in which a singular and a plural exist.
Example: "Is that mess in your bedroom your doing?"
"The shady doings of my husband caused me to file for divorce."
As a noun "doing" or "doings" always mean an action.
2) Verb. Doing can be two different forms of the verb "to do."
A) Present Participle.
In this case it expresses continued activity. Example "I am doing the best I can."
B) Gerund.
Gerunds are used the same way as nouns. Example: Doing the right thing is
important."
I am not sure what you mean by "activity without a goal" as the word "activity" implies some kind of action by definition.
If you were to use the phrase "doing nothing" there's no specific goal involved but some
people would say "nothing" is the goal. In other words, to be inactive. I can't think of a case where you can use the word "doing" whether as a noun or a verb to show actions without intended results.
When a project is shut down it is said to be no longer active or to be inactive. Maybe that's what you're looking for. No "doing" is used here.
Procrastination is doing nothing because you're unsure of how or when to do it. The verb form is to procrastinate. Maybe that could help.
The use of "no doing" means lack of action. For example "I was seen as irresponsible through no doing of my own." It means I didn't do anything to deserve to be seen in that light. Again no activity.
The word project doesn't have an opposite. It's just be the lack or nonexistence of a project.
answered 2 days ago
Loroxxx
11
New contributor
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
This is a complicated question because you're not specifying which "doing" you mean.
The word "doing" can be several different things.
1) Noun. This is the only case in which a singular and a plural exist.
Example: "Is that mess in your bedroom your doing?"
"The shady doings of my husband caused me to file for divorce."
As a noun "doing" or "doings" always mean an action.
2) Verb. Doing can be two different forms of the verb "to do."
A) Present Participle.
In this case it expresses continued activity. Example "I am doing the best I can."
B) Gerund.
Gerunds are used the same way as nouns. Example: Doing the right thing is
important."
I am not sure what you mean by "activity without a goal" as the word "activity" implies some kind of action by definition.
If you were to use the phrase "doing nothing" there's no specific goal involved but some
people would say "nothing" is the goal. In other words, to be inactive. I can't think of a case where you can use the word "doing" whether as a noun or a verb to show actions without intended results.
When a project is shut down it is said to be no longer active or to be inactive. Maybe that's what you're looking for. No "doing" is used here.
Procrastination is doing nothing because you're unsure of how or when to do it. The verb form is to procrastinate. Maybe that could help.
The use of "no doing" means lack of action. For example "I was seen as irresponsible through no doing of my own." It means I didn't do anything to deserve to be seen in that light. Again no activity.
The word project doesn't have an opposite. It's just be the lack or nonexistence of a project.
answered 2 days ago
Loroxxx
11
New contributor
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 2 days ago
answered 2 days ago
Loroxxx
11
New contributor
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 2 days ago
Loroxxx
11
answered 2 days ago
Loroxxx
11
11
New contributor
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Loroxxx is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Also keep in mind that "doing" is often substituted for the noun "do" when it means a party or event of some sort.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
add a comment |
Also keep in mind that "doing" is often substituted for the noun "do" when it means a party or event of some sort.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
Also keep in mind that "doing" is often substituted for the noun "do" when it means a party or event of some sort.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
Also keep in mind that "doing" is often substituted for the noun "do" when it means a party or event of some sort.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
add a comment |
automatix is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
automatix is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
automatix is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
automatix is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Please add a sample sentence where the word you’re looking for would be used (indicate the word with ____). Your current wording is quite vague, and it’s difficult to tell exactly what you’re looking for.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
Wait, I just saw your previous question. That is pretty much the same as this one, so you should combine the two into one (if you feel something in this question is missing in the earlier one, just edit it in, and then delete this one).
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
2 days ago
@JanusBahsJacquet I'm absolutely not a fan of duplicating questions and understand your point. But in this case, what I'm asking about in the second question, is actually another facet. Yes, my goal is still to find the word for "activity without a defined goal". But the question is about the word "doing" and its usage.
– automatix
2 days ago
I fail to see how this is not really a duplicate of the other question, aside from simply being more specific. (I suppose you could keep asking the same question but replace doing with another word each time. But that doesn't seem fruitful.) I still believe your premise is flawed. You can have aimless activity, but I don't think you can point to any given type of activity and say it will always be without some goal—even if it's only to perform the activity itself.
– Jason Bassford
2 days ago
@JasonBassford Please read my comments: "goal", "sense
<>goal", and "goals for tasks".– automatix
2 days ago