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to do a thing vs to do one thing

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'To do a thing' is a common expression used to refer to doing something in general, while 'to do one thing' is more specific and refers to doing a particular action out of many possible options.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 524 views

to do a thing

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to refer to doing something in general or unspecified. It is a common expression in English.

Examples:

  • I need to do a thing before we leave.
  • Can you do a thing for me?
  • Sometimes you just have to do a thing to get it done.
  • I'm trying to do a thing, and you're not helping me out, so please stop.
  • Doug, I'm trying to do a thing here.
  • She must have been a bit mad to do a thing like that.
  • You might've been hoping for something but, I'm sorry, I'm not going to do a thing.
  • If you are told by your leaders to do a thing, do it.
  • How could you ask me to do a thing like that?
  • To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.-A Short History of England
  • He's too chicken to do a thing.
  • You don't have to do a thing.
  • And you don't have to do a thing.
  • They got to do a thing to reverse it.
  • Babe, we're trying to do a thing here.
  • You won't have to do a thing.
  • Police haven't been able to do a thing.
  • And none of are you going to do a thing...
  • You won't have to do a thing...
  • Great families, afraid to do a thing.
  • I could break your neck and you wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.
  • I just think it's more fun to do a thing.
  • Neither you or your family ever have to do a thing for me.

Alternatives:

  • to do something
  • to complete a task
  • to accomplish a goal
  • to perform an action

to do one thing

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to refer to doing a specific action out of many possible options. It adds emphasis on the singular nature of the action.

Examples:

  • Out of all the things you could do, just do one thing.
  • If you can only do one thing today, make it count.
  • Let's focus on doing one thing really well.
  • I asked you guys to do one thing.
  • 'Cause I might be able to do one thing.
  • And raised to do one thing.
  • His body, his mind, his instincts are all designed to do one thing - to kill.
  • But I beg you to do one thing for me before you send me back.
  • I can't even ask you to do one thing without you messing it up.
  • The inner impulse orders you to do one thing.
  • Windows 10 allows you to do one thing in many ways.
  • Route planner proposes to do one thing but does it well.
  • Men telling people to do one thing while they do the opposite.
  • Tell me to do one thing and I do the opposite.
  • I can't keep telling my kids to do one thing and then me do another.
  • And we've earned the right to do one thing, and that is live our truth.
  • Catena proudly said that their main aim when they started the franchise business was to do one thing completely.
  • Fine, but as your friend, I'm going to beg you to do one thing.
  • However, if you wish to continue to do so, I must ask you to do one thing.
  • It's like my brain is telling me to do one thing and my heart another and...
  • I was created to do one thing, Tony.
  • I ask you to do one thing, just one thing, and you screw it up.
  • The Doctor doesn't think it's harmless that while you're on the job, while he's paying you to do one thing, you're actually doing another.

Alternatives:

  • to do a single thing
  • to choose one action
  • to perform a specific task
  • to accomplish one goal

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