at the office

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the office" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the place of work; for example, "I had a meeting at the office this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another day at the office.

The New York Times

He died at the office".

The New Yorker

Midday nap at the office?

The New York Times

He's down at the office.

The New Yorker

"It wasn't someone at the office.

The New Yorker

Basically, another day at the office.

The New York Times - Sports

A day at the office, basically.

The New York Times - Arts

Her day at the office is over.

The New York Times

She decided to inquire at the office.

The New Yorker

IT'S 5 p.m. at the office.

The New York Times

At the office, he misplaced files.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the office" to clearly specify activities or events occurring in a workplace setting. It provides a direct and easily understood reference point for location.

Common error

While both prepositions can be used, "at the office" typically implies a more general presence or activity, whereas "in the office" may suggest being enclosed or situated inside the physical structure. Choose the preposition that best fits the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the office" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase of place, modifying a verb to indicate where an action occurs. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the office" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial of place. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and commonality. It is versatile across various communication styles but predominates in journalistic and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it precisely indicates the location of an action or event within a work environment. While alternatives exist, "at the office" is a clear and effective choice for specifying workplace settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the office

Replaces "at" with "in", slightly altering the prepositional nuance.

in the workplace

Focuses on the general environment rather than the specific location.

at work

Emphasizes the activity of working rather than the physical location.

at my workplace

Adds a personal possessive to the general location.

during office hours

Highlights the time spent at the office.

at the firm

Uses a synonym to refer to the office as "firm"

on company premises

Uses more formal language to denote the location.

at headquarters

Specifically refers to the main office location.

within the company

Broader meaning focusing on belonging to the company not necessary at a physical office.

on the job

Highlights the tasks being performed during work.

FAQs

What does "at the office" mean?

The phrase "at the office" refers to being present or located in one's workplace. It indicates where someone is performing their job-related duties.

How can I use "at the office" in a sentence?

You can use "at the office" to specify a location where an action is taking place, such as, "I will be working late "at the office" tonight" or "There's a meeting "at the office" tomorrow morning."

What are some alternatives to saying "at the office"?

You can use alternatives like "in the workplace", "at work", or "during office hours" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in the office" or "at the office"?

Both "in the office" and "at the office" are correct, but "at the office" is more common and generally refers to being present there, while "in the office" can imply being inside the physical space of the office. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.