are out of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are out of work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe individuals who are currently unemployed or not engaged in any work. Example: "Due to the economic downturn, many skilled workers are out of work and struggling to find new employment opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I am concerned about those how are out of work".

Huffington Post

People are out of work.

The New York Times

Fewer people are out of work.

The New York Times

Millions of Americans are out of work.

The New York Times

Farmworkers are out of work.

The Guardian

Millions are out of work".

The New Yorker

Americans are out of work.

The New York Times

But thousands are out of work.

The New York Times

Too many people are out of work.

The New York Times

More often, they are out of work.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They are out-of-work executives and other professionals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are out of work", consider the context to determine if a more specific term like "unemployed" or "jobless" would be more appropriate.

Common error

While "are out of work" is generally acceptable, avoid it in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise term like "unemployed" or a more formal phrase such as "are without employment" might be preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are out of work" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state of being unemployed. Ludwig examples show it used to describe individuals, groups, and even entire populations. The Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are out of work" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe unemployment, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that it's frequently used in news and media to discuss economic conditions and the employment status of individuals. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "are unemployed" or "are without employment" may be preferred in professional or academic contexts. The phrase functions as a predicate adjective phrase, conveying information and expressing concern about joblessness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unemployed

Uses a single adjective instead of a prepositional phrase to describe the state of not having a job.

are jobless

Similar to "are unemployed", this uses 'jobless' as a simple adjective.

are without employment

More formal phrasing that emphasizes the absence of employment.

are not working

A more general expression that indicates the lack of current work, but might not necessarily imply unemployment.

have lost their jobs

Focuses on the action of losing employment, rather than the current state.

are seeking employment

Highlights the active search for a job, implying they are currently unemployed.

are between jobs

Indicates a temporary state of unemployment between two jobs.

are on the dole

Informal term, primarily British, referring to receiving unemployment benefits.

are drawing unemployment

Specifically refers to the act of receiving unemployment benefits.

constitute the unemployed

More formal and statistical way to refer to the total number of people without work.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "are out of work"?

You can use alternatives like "are unemployed", "are jobless", or "are without employment" depending on the context.

Is "are out of work" the same as "are unemployed"?

While similar, "are out of work" is a more general phrase, while "are unemployed" specifically refers to the state of being without a job but actively seeking one.

How do I use "are out of work" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe people who do not currently have jobs. For example, "Many people in the town "are out of work" due to the factory closure."

Which is more formal, "are out of work" or "are unemployed"?

Are unemployed is generally considered more formal than "are out of work". In professional or academic writing, using "are unemployed" or "are without employment" can be more appropriate.