be back at work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be back at work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone who is returning to a job or place of business. For example: John is excited to be back at work after his summer vacation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He expects to be back at work by late summer.

The New York Times

Get suctioned Wednesday and be back at work Monday.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bankers returning from summer vacations have some reason to be happy to be back at work.

The New York Times

"We'll be back at work soon, and I want to be ready," said Mr. Hernandez.

The New York Times

But he did not say exactly when he would be back at work.

The New York Times

But there was gossip in Shanghai yesterday that he would be back at work next week.

The Guardian - Business

But later this month, he and his Vad will be back at work.

The Guardian

Blakemore, like his players, will be back at work today, the honest face of BAE Systems.

The Guardian - Sport

He predicted that he would be back at work on Monday.

The New York Times

After doing the talk show circuit, he expects to be back at work today.

The New York Times

A few hours later the new mother will be back at work, because she has to.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be back at work" to indicate a return to employment after an absence due to illness, vacation, or other reasons. Ensure the context clearly establishes the prior absence.

Common error

Avoid using the past tense when the return is anticipated or planned. Instead of "was back at work", use "will be back at work" or "is going to "be back at work"" when referring to a future event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be back at work" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the resumption of employment or professional duties after a period of absence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be back at work" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the return to employment or professional duties after an absence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in written English, particularly in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes the absence clear, and choose it over alternatives like "be back to work", which is less standard. Remember to use the correct tense to accurately represent the timing of the return.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

return to work

A more formal and direct way of saying someone is resuming their work duties.

resume working

Focuses on the act of working itself, emphasizing the continuation of employment.

rejoin the workforce

Implies a longer absence and a return to the general working population.

get back to business

More informal, suggesting a return to usual activities and responsibilities.

report back to duty

Often used in military or official contexts, implying a formal obligation to return.

be back on duty

Similar to reporting back, but emphasizes the state of being actively working.

return to one's post

Formal, often used for specific positions or roles, implying a return to a designated place of work.

start working again

A straightforward and simple way to express the resumption of work.

recommence employment

A very formal and less common way to say "start working again".

be back in the office

Specifically refers to returning to a physical office location.

FAQs

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

You can use "be back at work" to indicate a return to employment after an absence. For example, "John is expected to "be back at work" next week after his vacation".

What are some alternatives to "be back at work"?

Alternatives include "return to work", "resume working", or "rejoin the workforce", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "be back to work" instead of "be back at work"?

While "be back to work" might be understood, ""be back at work"" is the more standard and grammatically correct phrasing.

What does it mean when someone says they "will "be back at work" soon"?

It generally means they are anticipating returning to their job or professional duties in the near future, often after a period of absence due to illness, vacation, or other reasons.