I was worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'I was worked' is not grammatically correct in written English.
The correct sentence would be 'I was working'. For example: I was working on a project when my computer suddenly crashed.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

She told officers: "I was worked up.

The Guardian

Once there, I was worked on for hours by the emergency room staff to sustain my life until I could be send to the operating room.

The New York Times

In reality, I was worked to a strict schedule – I always had to ask to take my lunch break and some days I wasn't permitted to go until 4pm, after working six hours of my eight-hour shift," she said.

The Guardian

Sometimes, when I was worked up about one of my kids -- a curfew violation, a disappointment with a soccer team, driving lessons, or whatever the drama of the day might be, she would smile gently.

The New York Times

When I was worked for the United Nations World Food Program in Somalia, we distributed 50-kilogram sacks of grain emblazoned with the American flag and "Gift of the People of the United States of America". Somalis readily accepted the aid but it was clear that our professed neutrality was suspect.

The New York Times

Everything I was worried about has completely evaporated". I was worked up about nothing.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I was working construction.

The New York Times

Because I was working".

The New York Times - Arts

"I was working".

The New Yorker

"I was working weekends.

The New York Times

I was working late.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the active voice construction "I was working" instead of the passive "I was worked" to clearly indicate you were performing the action. For example, "I was working on a new project" is grammatically correct.

Common error

Avoid using "I was worked" to describe your own actions. This phrasing suggests someone else performed work on you, rather than you performing the work. Stick to active constructions for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was worked" is primarily used as a statement, although it is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI indicates it is not grammatically correct. The intended function is often to convey that the speaker was engaged in work or labor.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was worked" is grammatically incorrect in standard English and should be avoided. Ludwig AI flags it as such. The correct phrasing is "I was working". While it appears in some news and media contexts, its use is not recommended in formal or professional settings. When aiming to convey past work activity, ensure clarity and grammatical correctness by using the active voice construction. Alternative phrases like "I was busy" or "I was occupied" may also be suitable depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was working

Corrects the grammar from passive to active voice, indicating ongoing action.

I was being worked

Emphasizes continuous action done to the subject, but grammatically awkward.

I was made to work

Indicates coercion or obligation to perform work.

I worked

Simple past tense, indicating completed action in the past.

I was employed

Focuses on the state of being employed, not the action of working.

I performed work

More formal way of saying "I worked".

Work was done by me

Passive construction focusing on the work done.

I used to work

Expresses a past habit of working.

I had a job

Focuses on the state of having a job.

I engaged in labor

A highly formal or archaic way of saying "I worked".

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "I was worked"?

The correct phrasing is to use the active voice: "I was working". This indicates you were performing an action.

What does it mean if someone says, "I was worked"?

While grammatically incorrect, it might imply the speaker felt overworked or exploited. However, it's better to use more precise language such as "I was overworked".

Is "I was worked on" grammatically correct?

Yes, in certain contexts. It means someone performed work on you, as in "I was worked on by a therapist". This is different from performing work yourself.

What are some alternatives to "I was worked" that indicate being busy?

You could say "I was busy", "I was occupied", or "I had a lot on my plate", depending on the context.