apply for work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apply for work" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to submit an application or letter of interest in order to be considered for a job or employment opportunity. Example: I have been unemployed for several months and I am now actively applying for work at various companies in my field.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The advice everywhere is to apply for work experience.

The Guardian - Money

For non-EU graduates it is much harder to apply for work from outside the UK.

The Guardian

An aunt who worked in security at the State Department persuaded her to apply for work.

The New York Times

Illegal immigrants often apply for work with false Social Security numbers.

The New York Times

To apply for work authorization and receive a legal Social Security card costs an additional $100.

The New York Times

Those who are here illegally would have to apply for work permits".

The Guardian

Under current law, that status allows immigrants to apply for work permits.

The New York Times

Years ago, migrant workers lined up outside factories here hoping to apply for work.

The New York Times

These people will also be able to apply for work permits, bringing their lives more in line with the law.

The New Yorker

Some current screeners working for private contractors are expected to apply for work with the federal agency.

The New York Times - Travel

For my second job, my friend convinced me to apply for work in silver service waiting with him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing a resume, use "apply for work" to describe the process of submitting your qualifications for a specific role to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "apply for work" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "submit an application" or "seek employment" in highly professional documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apply for work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally requesting employment or a specific job. It is commonly used to describe the process of submitting qualifications for consideration, as supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apply for work" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the action of formally requesting consideration for a job. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider more formal alternatives in professional settings. Remember to use "apply for work" when describing the general process of seeking employment and be mindful of the specific context to ensure appropriate tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look for work

A general and common way to express the search for employment.

seek employment

A more formal alternative, focusing on the act of looking for a job.

put in an application

Emphasizes the action of submitting a formal application.

seek a position

A more formal way to express the search for a specific role.

submit a job application

Focuses on the act of submitting an application for a specific job.

pursue job opportunities

Highlights the active pursuit of potential job openings.

try to get a job

A less formal and more general expression of seeking employment.

file an application for employment

A very formal and bureaucratic way to express applying for a job.

register for work

Implies registering with an agency or system to find work.

canvass for employment

An antiquated and overly formal way of seeking employment.

FAQs

What's a simple definition of "apply for work"?

To "apply for work" means to formally request consideration for a job or employment opportunity, usually by submitting an application.

Is it better to say "apply for work" or "apply for a job"?

Both "apply for work" and "apply for a job" are correct, but "apply for work" is slightly more general, referring to the overall process of seeking employment, while "apply for a job" refers to a specific position.

What are some alternatives to "apply for work"?

Alternatives include "seek employment", "look for work", or "submit an application", depending on the context.

How do I use "apply for work" in a sentence?

You can use "apply for work" in a sentence like this: "After graduating, I plan to actively "apply for work" in the software development industry."