already at work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already at work" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone has started work or is working already at the present time. Example: I'm already at work on my project, but I'm having trouble figuring out the details.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's already at work".

The Guardian

The artist was already at work.

The New Yorker

The Obama factor is already at work here.

The Economist

The money is already at work.

The Guardian

His wife was already at work.

The Washington Post

These market forces are already at work.

Harvard Business Review

He's already at work on Season 2.

The New York Times - Arts

Globalization was already at work destabilizing the country.

The New York Times - Books

"Perhaps people are already at work," suggests a friend, incredulous.

The Economist

(Fear not; the planners are already at work).

The New York Times - Arts

Indeed, he is already at work on his next feature.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already at work" to clearly indicate that an action or process has commenced and is currently ongoing. It's particularly effective when emphasizing timeliness or early initiative.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overuse of "already at work" in excessively formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise synonyms like "in progress" or "underway" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already at work" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates that an action or process has begun and is currently in progress, as exemplified by Ludwig's numerous examples from news and media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already at work" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is currently in progress. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used and understood, particularly in news and media contexts. While its register leans towards neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic settings. Remember to leverage this phrase to effectively communicate the ongoing nature of an activity, but consider the specific context to ensure the most appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already in progress

Focuses on the continuation of an activity, implying that it was started earlier.

already underway

Emphasizes the commencement and progression of a project or task.

currently working on

Highlights the present focus and effort directed toward a specific task.

in the process of

Indicates that an action is currently being performed, often implying a series of steps.

actively engaged in

Stresses the energetic and committed nature of the involvement.

hard at work

Emphasizes the effort and dedication being put into the task.

laboring on

Implies a more strenuous and prolonged effort on a particular task.

busily occupied with

Suggests that one is actively and efficiently engaged in something.

diligently pursuing

Conveys a sense of focused and persistent effort toward a goal.

involved in

Indicates a general participation or inclusion in a task or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "already at work" in a sentence?

You can use "already at work" to indicate that someone or something has started a task or process. For example, "The team is already at work on the new marketing campaign."

What phrases are similar to "already at work"?

Similar phrases include "already in progress", "already underway", or "currently working on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "already at work" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "already at work" might be perceived as slightly informal in very formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "in progress" or "underway" for a more polished tone.

What's the difference between "already at work" and "working on"?

"Already at work" emphasizes that the task has commenced, while "working on" simply indicates that the task is in progress. The former implies a sense of timeliness or early initiation.