at his work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at his work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone's place of employment or the tasks they are engaged in. Example: "He is very dedicated and spends long hours at his work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bad at his work?

The New York Times - Books

All withdraw as watchman passes singing at his work.

The Guardian - Music

"You have to look at his work rate.

The Guardian - Sport

He was officious, and showed off at his work.

The New Yorker

A glance at his work warns of slow going ahead.

The New Yorker

The New York Times wanted first crack at his work.

The Guardian

Actually, he looks back at his work there with satisfaction.

The New York Times

Looking at his work is a complex business.

The Guardian - Arts

Publishers looked even more askance at his work than before.

The Guardian - Books

When you look at his work it is almost kinetic.

The Guardian

Mrs. Heath comes but her husband never appears He is always busy at his work - writing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at his work" to specifically refer to actions, events, or conditions that directly relate to someone's professional tasks or workplace. This phrase can add a sense of immediacy and relevance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at his work" when you simply mean "to work". "At his work" implies a specific context within his job, while "to work" refers to the act of going to or being engaged in employment generally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at his work" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify the location, time, or circumstances related to someone's employment. As shown by Ludwig, it adds contextual information about where or when an action occurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at his work" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that enriches sentences by specifying the context of someone's employment. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and suitable for both formal and informal writing. While alternatives like "at his job" exist, "at his work" maintains its relevance and value. Understanding its proper usage and avoiding common errors like confusing it with "to work" will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. The frequent appearance of this phrase in news media showcases its wide applicability in reporting and describing various scenarios related to professional life.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at his job

Replaces "work" with "job", emphasizing the specific employment position.

on the job

Emphasizes actions taken or conditions experienced during work.

while working

A general term to refer to things that happen during work.

in his workplace

Focuses on the physical location where he performs his duties.

during his working hours

Highlights the time spent engaged in professional activities.

during his duties

Focuses on specific responsibilities and tasks that are done at work.

while employed

A more formal way to indicate his state of being employed, relating to activities.

in his line of work

Highlights the industry or type of profession someone is in.

in his professional capacity

Highlights that actions are related to his role and duties.

at his desk

Refers to his specific location of work, often implying office work.

FAQs

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

Use "at his work" to describe someone's actions or experiences within their job. For example, "He is very dedicated and spends long hours at his work" or "She excels "at her work"".

What's a simple alternative to "at his work"?

A simpler alternative would be "at his job", which carries a similar meaning but may be more commonly used in everyday conversation.

When should I use "at his work" versus "in his work"?

"At his work" usually refers to a physical location or specific actions during working hours. "In his work" typically relates to the content, methods, or the broader scope of someone's professional activities.

Is "at his work" formal or informal?

"At his work" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though "in his professional capacity" is more formal.