I'm off work

USAGE SUMMARY

"I'm off work" is correct and usable in written English
It is typically used to mean that one is not working or is no longer working. For example, "I'm off work now so I'm going to spend the night with my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"There are days when I'm off work and I'm at the shelter and I just sit and cry, because I don't see it coming to an end anytime soon".

The New York Times

This time, I'd like to use the time I'm off work more constructively by upgrading my CAD and design skills, and getting to grips with changes in the industry in areas where I want my career to develop.

The Guardian - Money

This time, I'd like to use the time I'm off work more constructively by upgrading my CAD and design skills, and getting to grips with changes in the industry within areas where I want my career to develop.

The Guardian - Money

"When I'm off work, this is where I am.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In total I was off work for seven months.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was off work for a very embarrassing five weeks.

The Guardian

The last time, I was off work for three weeks".

The New York Times

While I was off work, I threw myself into my garden.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They said I was off work more than I was on work," she said, "and that I was endangering others and myself".

The New York Times

I was off work for a week and when I went back I was like Elsa the lion after a stint in the wild: leaner, meaner and less trusting.

The Guardian

Alan Johnson is shadow Home Secretary The relative, John Taylor: What adds to the hurt is we are still awaiting answers I was off work on July 7 2005 so I did not get to see Carrie and her mother June leave the house as I normally would.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I'm off work" when referring to your daily schedule or personal time. It is highly effective in informal and semi-formal communications to set boundaries regarding your availability.

Common error

Avoid using "I'm off work" if you mean you are unemployed. Use "out of work" to describe the state of being jobless. "I'm off work" implies you still have a job but are not currently performing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm off work" functions as a predicative adjective phrase where "off work" describes the state of the subject. In the data provided by Ludwig AI, it is consistently used to indicate a temporary status of not being at one's place of employment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Social Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I'm off work" is a versatile and correct English expression used to signify that an individual is not currently engaged in their professional duties. Based on data from Ludwig AI, it is prevalent in high-quality journalism and even medical research to describe temporary absence from labor. It is crucial to distinguish this from being "out of work", which refers to unemployment. Whether you are using it to set a boundary with friends or explaining your presence at an event, "I'm off work" remains a clear, neutral and highly useful component of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am off the clock

More idiomatic and informal, emphasizing the end of paid hours

I have finished for the day

Explicitly states that all daily tasks are completed

I am off duty

Often used in military, medical or service professions

I have clocked out

Specifically refers to the act of recording the end of a work shift

I am not working right now

A more literal and descriptive version of the status

I'm on leave

Implies a longer absence from work like a holiday or sick time

I am away from the office

Focuses on the physical absence from the workplace

I am out of the office

Common in professional email auto-responses

I've wrapped up my shift

Informal way to say work has ended

I am currently unavailable

More formal and vaguer about the reason for absence

FAQs

How to use "I'm off work" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe your status, such as: "I'll call you when "I'm off work" this evening."

What can I say instead of "I'm off work"?

You can use alternatives like "finished for the day", "off the clock" or "not working" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I'm off work" or "I'm off of work"?

Both are correct, but "I'm off work" is more common and concise in modern English. The "of" is often considered redundant in professional writing.

What is the difference between "I'm off work" and "I'm out of work"?

"I'm off work" means you are done for the day or on a break, while "out of work" means you are unemployed.