a worker

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worker" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can refer to someone who is employed and performs labor or tasks, or it can be used as a general term to describe someone who engages in work or labor. Example sentence: Mary's father is a skilled construction worker, and he built their house from the ground up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I'm a worker," she said.

The New York Times

Illustration of a worker bee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consider a worker who retired at 65.

The New York Times

A worker discovered it in the morning.

The New York Times

That guy McDonald, he's a worker.

The New York Times - Arts

And a worker.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"He has the mentality of a worker".

The New York Times - Sports

A worker with dependents might pay more.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Both believed a workers' revolution was imminent.

The New York Times - Books

COMMUNISM failed to deliver a workers' paradise.

The Economist

MAY DAY is traditionally a workers' holiday.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "a worker", consider the specific type of work they perform. Use more descriptive terms like "construction worker" or "healthcare worker" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a worker" as a catch-all term when more specific language would provide better context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "a worker" handles customer inquiries, specify "a customer service representative" handles the inquiries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worker" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it refers to an individual who performs labor or a task, either generally or in a specific context. Ludwig examples show it can denote both physical and intellectual labor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a worker" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to an individual who performs labor or tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its broad usage, spanning various contexts from News & Media to Academia. While generally neutral in tone, consider using more specific terms like "an employee" or "a tradesperson" for clarity and precision. Avoid overgeneralization by specifying the type of work when possible. The term is particularly common in news reporting and general discussions about employment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an employee

Replaces "worker" with a more formal term referring to someone employed by a company.

a laborer

Substitutes "worker" with a term that emphasizes manual or physical work.

a staff member

Refers to someone who is part of a team or organization.

a working individual

Emphasizes the act of working rather than the role itself.

a member of staff

Alternative way to express that someone belongs to a group of employees.

a tradesperson

Specifically refers to someone skilled in a particular trade or craft.

a blue-collar worker

Specifically refers to someone who performs manual labor.

a white-collar worker

Specifically refers to someone who works in an office or professional setting.

an operative

A more formal word to indicate someone involved in operations.

a working professional

Similar to "a working individual" but highlights expertise and qualification.

FAQs

How can I use "a worker" in a sentence?

You can use "a worker" to generally refer to someone who performs tasks or labor, for instance, "A skilled worker is essential for this project" or "The company needs "a dedicated worker" to manage the accounts".

What are some alternatives to using "a worker"?

Depending on the context, you can use more specific terms like "an employee", "a laborer", "a staff member", or "a tradesperson" to provide more clarity about the role or type of work.

Is it better to say "a worker" or "an employee"?

While both terms refer to someone who performs work, "an employee" typically implies a formal employment relationship with a company, whereas "a worker" can refer to anyone who performs labor, even without a formal contract.

What's the difference between "a worker" and "a professional"?

"A worker" broadly refers to anyone engaged in work, while "a professional" typically implies someone with specialized training, education, or skills in a particular field. For example, "a medical professional" requires extensive training to treat their patients.