Note 192 – ‘In doing so’ v ‘in so doing’

A work colleague emailed me today with this scenario:

‘In doing so’ versus ‘In so doing’ – which is better or grammatically correct?  Or is it the use of old fashioned language to use the latter?

Before researching, my immediate thought was that ‘in doing so’ sounds better, but after a quick glance at some forums both phrases appear to mean the same, and it’s just a matter of usage and how you like the sound of the words.  

More in depth research has not brought back anything other than the fact that both phrases are used by writers on the internet.  On the englishforums site, a Mister Micawber (who provides proofreading and editing services) posted that In so doing is a very common permutation; however there are one and a half more instances of in doing so than in so doing in Corpus of Contemporary English.

My colleague has decided to use ‘in so doing’, as ‘in doing so’ is widely used and she likes to be different.  I told her that it was a perfect reason to use it. 

Which version would you use?

This blog post forms part of my writing challenge. Don’t forget that you can subscribe to receive my daily blogs by email so that you don’t miss any. Just click ‘sign me up’ on the home page. Alternatively you can follow my blogs on Twitter or my ‘Tips and Luxuries‘ Facebook page. Requests for future blogs (punctuation/grammar/writing tips) are always welcome.

Until tomorrow…

Sandra
Freelance writer
Please visit www.sandramadeira.com for more information on my services as a freelance writer.

My writing challenge

My other blogs:
Sandra’s space
My OpenLeaf Journey

My Tips and Luxuries website
(includes the introduction to my upcoming book ‘A Gift for Stressed and Busy Parents’)

Twitter: @madeirasandra @tipsandluxuries @OpenLeafJourney