Unfit for work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Unfit for work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not able to perform their job duties due to health issues or other reasons. Example: "After the medical evaluation, it was determined that she was unfit for work and needed to take a leave of absence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

("Health: poor," his parole officer of the moment reported a few days later. "Unfit for work").

The New Yorker

Less than 10% of claimants now receive the higher rate of ESA, for those deemed genuinely unfit for work.

The Guardian

They deemed me unfit for work and medevac'ed me from Bangkok back to the United States for treatment.

The New York Times - Health

Those in the Work Related Activity Group who receive Employment Support Allowance are disabled people who've been independently assessed as being unfit for work.

Independent

"The purpose of entitlement to sick leave is different, since it enables a worker to recover from an illness that has caused him to be unfit for work".

The New York Times

Men unfit for work were ordered to work and sometimes had to be carried to the work site on a cart; there was insufficient food and clothing.

University of California, Berkeley

The purpose of entitlement to sick leave is different, since it enables a worker to recover from an illness that has caused them to be unfit for work".

The Guardian - Money

Though I was deemed unfit for work at a medical (not a title I took pride in), it was still a long time before I received any money.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even Atos might consider declaring him unfit for work after taking a bullet to the head but Tintin is back on the job and apparently off his trolley.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Over 70%% classify patients as 'unfit for work'.

BMC Family Practice

For initial certificates relating to mental health conditions, up to 94 % recommend patients as 'unfit for work' [ 11].

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's employment status, use "unfit for work" to indicate they have been professionally assessed as unable to perform their job due to health reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "unfit for work" when describing temporary conditions like a cold or short-term injury. Instead, use phrases like "on sick leave" or "taking time off to recover". "Unfit for work" generally suggests a more prolonged or permanent inability to work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfit for work" functions primarily as an adjective phrase describing a state of being unable to perform job-related tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It often follows verbs like 'deem', 'declare', or 'consider', indicating a judgment or assessment of someone's capacity to work.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0.01%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unfit for work" is a commonly used adjective phrase to describe someone's inability to perform their job, usually due to health or medical reasons. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English. It is frequently employed in formal contexts, such as medical assessments, employment benefits discussions, and legal proceedings. While often used interchangeably with similar phrases like "unable to work" or "not fit for duty", it's essential to differentiate it from temporary conditions like "on sick leave". Its prevalence across various sources, including news, academic, and scientific domains, underscores its importance in both professional and public discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to work

Directly indicates an inability to perform work-related tasks.

incapable of working

Emphasizes a lack of capacity or qualification for work.

not fit for duty

Often used in military or formal contexts to describe someone not ready to perform their assigned tasks.

medically excused from work

Specifically indicates that a medical condition prevents someone from working.

deemed ineligible for employment

Focuses on the formal assessment process that determines ineligibility.

not in working condition

Can refer to either a person or a piece of equipment; implies a state of disrepair.

certified as unable to work

Highlights the certification process by a medical or professional authority.

on sick leave

Indicates a temporary absence from work due to illness or injury.

permanently disabled

Suggests a long-term or irreversible condition that prevents work.

declared unfit to practice

Often used in professional fields like medicine or law to indicate someone is no longer allowed to work in their profession.

FAQs

How can I use "unfit for work" in a sentence?

You can use "unfit for work" to describe someone who is unable to perform their job duties due to health issues or other reasons. For example: "After the medical evaluation, it was determined that she was "unfit for work" and needed to take a leave of absence."

What can I say instead of "unfit for work"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to work", "incapable of working", or "not fit for duty" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "unfit for work" and "on sick leave"?

"Unfit for work" generally implies a more serious or long-term inability to work, often determined by a professional assessment. "On sick leave", on the other hand, suggests a temporary absence from work due to illness or injury.

When is it appropriate to use "unfit for work"?

Use "unfit for work" when someone has been officially assessed as unable to perform their job duties due to a medical condition or other significant reason. This phrase is often used in the context of employment benefits or disability claims.