meaning

[simon1234]

Hi there,
What does the underlined sentence mean?

Time and again, the city has taken hard knocks, not of its own doing.

tks
simon

[Gillnetter]

Hi there,
What does the underlined sentence mean?

Time and again, the city has taken hard knocks, not of its own doing.

tks
simon

The problems were not caused by, or the fault of, the city. If another automobile hit you while you were stopped in traffic, the accident would not be of your own doing.

[simon1234]

Hi there,
Thank a lot.
I have checked the dictionary.There is no 'of one's own doing'. There is 'of one's own making'. Are they the same? Then in your example, can I change like this: the accident would not be of your own causing. This is what I think; maybe it is wrong. Accidents cannot be done; they are caused by something or someone. Am I right? Please correct me if I am wrong.

thank
simon

[kfredson]

Hi there,
Thank a lot.
I have checked the dictionary.There is no 'of one's own doing'. There is 'of one's own making'. Are they the same? Then in your example, can I change like this: the accident would not be of your own causing. This is what I think; maybe it is wrong. Accidents cannot be done; they are caused by something or someone. Am I right? Please correct me if I am wrong.

thank
simon

I would say that any of these would work. The phrase "not of one's own doing" is a common expression.

I do find the original sentence a little awkward, however. I would prefer to see it written,
Time and again, the city has taken hard knocks, through no fault of its own.

[simon1234]

hi there,
What does the underlined phrase mean? Could you give me another example using the underlined phrase?


Time and again, the city has taken hard knocks, through no fault of its own.

tks
simon

[tedtmc]

hi there,
What does the underlined phrase mean? Could you give me another example using the underlined phrase?


Time and again, the city has taken hard knocks, through no fault of its own.

tks
simon

The city has frequently suffered hardships not due to mistakes it has made but due to external factors beyond its control.

not a teacher

[simon1234]

Hi there,
Thanks a lot.
But I wanted to know the meaning of the underlined phrase in this sentence: Time and again, the city has taken hard knocks, through no fault of its own.

simon

[tedtmc]

simon
Isn't the sentence clearer after I reworded it?