at her desk

USAGE SUMMARY

'at her desk' can be used in written English.
Example: She was busy typing away at her desk when I arrived.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What everybody loved most about her was how she ate lunch at her desk.

Huffington Post

She burst into tears at her desk.

The New Yorker

The girl at her desk sneezing.

The New Yorker

But she's started falling asleep at her desk — sometimes snoring.

The New York Times

Dad's secretary, Louise, let me sit at her desk.

The New York Times

But those changes are not apparent at her desk.

The New York Times

"Mother dragged herself to work and nodded at her desk.

The New York Times - Books

Third, Major Turner is not at her desk.

The New York Times - Books

Back at her desk, a colleague reassured her.

The Guardian - Books

She started having crying fits at her desk.

The Guardian

She eats at her desk at 11 20.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at her desk" to describe someone's typical work location or when emphasizing their presence and activity in their workspace.

Common error

Avoid using "at her desk" to describe someone moving towards or away from their desk. Instead, use phrases like "to her desk" or "from her desk" to indicate direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at her desk" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of place, specifying the location where an action occurs. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples where the phrase indicates someone's location while performing a task or experiencing an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at her desk" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify a location, frequently appearing in News & Media contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as an adverbial of place, providing context about where someone is situated. While its register is generally neutral, the surrounding text determines the overall formality. To avoid misuse, ensure the phrase accurately describes a static location rather than a movement. When synonyms are needed, consider options like "at her workstation" or "seated at her desk" to maintain semantic closeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at her workstation

Replaces "desk" with a more modern term for a work area.

seated at her desk

Adds the detail that the person is sitting.

working at her desk

Highlights the action of working.

by her desk

Indicates proximity to the desk, not necessarily sitting at it.

at her table

Substitutes "desk" with "table", useful if the work surface is indeed a table.

in her office

Refers to the general location rather than the specific piece of furniture.

at her computer

Focuses on the tool used at the desk.

over her paperwork

Emphasizes the task being performed.

in her cubicle

Specifies the type of workspace.

on her work chair

Focuses on the location where the work is done.

FAQs

How can I use "at her desk" in a sentence?

You can use "at her desk" to describe someone's location or action. For example, "She was working at her desk", or "He found her at her desk reading a book".

What are some alternatives to saying "at her desk"?

Alternatives include "at her workstation", "seated at her desk", or "working at her desk", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify "her" when using the phrase "at her desk"?

Yes, "her" is necessary if you're referring to a specific female individual. Otherwise, you might use "at his desk" or "at their desk" depending on the subject.

When is it more appropriate to say "in her office" instead of "at her desk"?

Use "in her office" when you're referring to the general location of the person. Use "at her desk" when you want to emphasize their presence or activity at their workspace.