"it was ok to do that" vs "it was ok doing that"

Question

"it was ok to do that" vs "it was ok doing that"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It was ok doing that' is used when referring to an action that has already been completed, while 'It was ok to do that' is used when talking about the appropriateness of an action. They are not interchangeable.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate that a particular action was acceptable or appropriate to do. It focuses on the appropriateness of the action rather than the action itself.

Examples:

It was ok to do the dishes before leaving.
She said it was ok to do the project together.
I thought it was ok to do the repairs as soon as possible.
He found it was ok to do the presentation in the morning.
They believed it was ok to do the experiment under controlled conditions.

Alternatives:

It was fine to do that
It was acceptable to do that
It was alright to do that
It was permissible to do that
It was satisfactory to do that

This phrase is used to express that a particular action was acceptable or satisfactory after it has been done. It emphasizes the action itself.

Examples:

It was ok doing the dishes last night.
She said it was ok doing the project on her own.
I thought it was ok doing the repairs myself.
He found it was ok doing the presentation without any help.
They believed it was ok doing the experiment without supervision.

Alternatives:

It was fine doing that
It was acceptable doing that
It was alright doing that
It was permissible doing that
It was satisfactory doing that

Answer 1

it was ok to do that

This phrase is correct and more commonly used in formal English. It is used to discuss the appropriateness of an action.

Answer 2

it was ok doing that

This phrase is correct but less common in formal English. It is used when referring to a completed action.

"it was ok to do that" vs "it was ok doing that"

it was ok to do that

it was ok doing that

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