at work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's job, office, or a project they are working on. For example, "John has been hard at work on his project all week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Look, we're at work.

The New York Times - Arts

It's karma at work.

The New York Times - Sports

He thrived at work.

The New Yorker

Education reform at work!

The New York Times

She was at work.

The New Yorker

Czerniawski was at work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Very hard at work.

Independent

Others suffocated at work.

Independent

"I'm back at work.

The New York Times

Evolution at work.

The New York Times

Free trade at work.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at work", ensure it clearly indicates location or activity. For instance, "He is at work" implies presence at the workplace, while "He is hard at work" signifies diligent activity.

Common error

Avoid using "at work" when the context requires a more specific location. Instead of saying, "The problem was at work", specify "The problem was in the engineering department."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at work" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate location or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used in English. For example, in the sentence "He is at work", it specifies where "he" is.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

28%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at work" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate either presence at a workplace or engagement in work-related activities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It appears frequently in various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources, suggesting its broad applicability. When using "at work", ensure clarity by specifying the location or activity. Alternatives such as "on duty" or "in the office" may provide more specific details depending on the context. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate the phrase "at work" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaged in work

Highlights the state of being actively involved or busy with tasks related to one's occupation or projects.

on duty

Indicates someone is currently performing their job or assigned tasks, focusing on their active work period.

on the job

Highlights the practical aspect of performing tasks and responsibilities related to one's employment.

in the office

Specifies the physical location where someone is performing their job, rather than just implying the act of working.

during working hours

Emphasizes the specific time frame when someone is expected to be engaged in their job duties.

in service

Suggests active contribution or performing a specific role within a larger organization or system.

on assignment

Indicates being occupied with a particular task or project that has been specifically assigned.

while employed

Refers to actions or events happening during the period when someone is holding a job position.

during business hours

Refers to an action that occurs within the standard operating hours of a business.

in one's profession

Highlights activities or achievements within the scope of someone's specific professional field.

FAQs

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

You can use "at work" to indicate someone is present at their job or engaged in a task. For example, "She is "at work" now", or "He is hard "at work" on the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "at work"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "on duty", "in the office", or "engaged in work" instead of "at work".

Is it correct to say "I am at work" or "I am in work"?

"I am "at work"" is the grammatically correct and more common phrase in this context. "I am in work" is less frequently used.

What is the difference between being "at work" and being "off work"?

Being ""at work"" means you are currently employed and performing your job duties, while being "off work" indicates you are not currently working, often due to vacation, illness, or other reasons.