at your desk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at your desk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone being present or working at their workstation or office space. Example: "Please make sure to complete the report while you are at your desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're still at your desk.

The Guardian - Opinion

They think you're sitting at your desk".

The New York Times - Tech

What time are you at your desk?

The Guardian - Money

Rowley: The Nerf basketball at your desk.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mom: But you're staying at your desk station.

The New Yorker

Maybe eat your particularly gigantic lunches at your desk?

The New York Times

Will you work at your desk or retreat to bed?

The New Yorker

Instead of sitting at your desk, create a walking goup.

Independent

If you're at your desk, you should be working.

The New York Times

Oh and eating lunch at your desk is disgusting.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You should not do this sitting at your desk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to perform a task related to their job, use "at your desk" to clearly indicate where the task should be done. For instance, "Please ensure all reports are filed electronically while you are "at your desk"".

Common error

While "at your desk" is appropriate in professional settings, avoid using it in casual conversations where a simpler phrase like "at work" might suffice. Overusing specific location details can sound overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at your desk" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs by indicating location. It specifies where an action takes place, as illustrated by Ludwig examples like, "Instead of sitting at your desk, create a walking goup."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at your desk" is a very common prepositional phrase used to specify a location where an activity or state of being occurs, often in a work environment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately describes the location of the action and fits the context. Alternatives include "at your workstation" or "in your cubicle", providing more specific descriptions. While versatile, overuse in casual conversation may sound overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at your workstation

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

at your workspace

Similar to 'workstation' but slightly broader, encompassing the entire area where work is performed.

at your office

Specifies the general location of work, rather than the specific furniture.

at your computer

Focuses on the tool most often used at a desk.

seated at your desk

Emphasizes the act of sitting while at the desk.

working at your desk

Highlights the action of working while at the desk.

present at your desk

Stresses physical presence at the desk.

stationed at your desk

Implies a more fixed or assigned position at the desk.

located at your desk

Highlights the desk as the place where someone is situated.

in your cubicle

Refers to a specific type of workspace where a desk is typically located.

FAQs

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

You can use "at your desk" to specify a location where work or other activities are performed. For example, "Please keep a notebook "at your desk" for jotting down ideas".

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

You can use alternatives such as "at your workstation", "at your office", or "in your cubicle" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "on your desk" instead of "at your desk"?

While "on your desk" refers to something physically placed on the surface of the desk, "at your desk" refers to the location where you are working. So, "at your desk" is generally used to indicate presence or activity.

When is it appropriate to use "at your desk" in professional communication?

It's appropriate in professional communication when you need to specify that an action should be performed at the employee's workspace. For example, "All customer service representatives should be available "at your desk" during business hours".