be gainfully employed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be gainfully employed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to being in a job that provides a sufficient income or financial stability. Example: "After months of job searching, I am finally able to be gainfully employed in a position that matches my skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Third, they wanted to have increased possibilities for women to be gainfully employed, especially widows.

The New York Times

They are Africa's most important economic asset and need to be gainfully employed without delay.

The Guardian

How melancholy is it to be gainfully employed and gorgeous in the city?

The New Yorker

Yes, legions of ex-students will find themselves needing to be gainfully employed.

The New Yorker

This is all true, of course — I'm lucky to be gainfully employed, and glad my work expenses do get covered.

The New Yorker

By the end of those two games, few of the Knicks looked like they deserved to be gainfully employed in professional basketball.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It has been four years since I was gainfully employed.

The New York Times

Ms. Muller has been gainfully employed ever since.

The New York Times

Some have families, and all are gainfully employed.

The New York Times - Sports

"Most of them are gainfully employed and they are just faking it.

The New York Times

Of his client's current life, Mr. Longworth said Mr. Delivesbin "lives iNew York Cityty and is gainfully employed".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing employment status, consider using "be gainfully employed" to emphasize the financial stability and value derived from the job, rather than simply stating "be employed".

Common error

Avoid using "be gainfully employed" in extremely casual conversations; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "have a job" or "work for a living" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be gainfully employed" functions as an adjective phrase describing someone's employment status, emphasizing that the employment provides a sufficient income. It's an alternative way of saying someone has a job as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be gainfully employed" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's employment status, emphasizing that their work provides sufficient income or financial stability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is frequently used in various contexts. While versatile, it appears most often in news and media and science sources. When writing, remember that this phrase carries a slightly more formal tone and should be selected accordingly based on the context. Consider alternative phrases like "earn a living" or "hold a paying job" in more casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn a living

A common and straightforward way to express the idea of supporting oneself through work.

hold a paying job

Focuses on the act of having a job that provides payment, slightly more direct.

be in paid employment

A more formal and slightly redundant way of saying "be employed".

work for a wage

Emphasizes the act of working in exchange for a set payment.

be employed in a profitable occupation

More formal and emphasizes the financial profitability of the job.

secure a source of income through work

Emphasizes the act of obtaining income specifically through employment.

have a remunerative position

Highlights that the position is well-compensated, using more formal language.

have a lucrative career

Implies a long-term professional path that is also financially rewarding.

be financially self-sufficient

Focuses on the independence gained from earning one's own money.

be economically active

Broader term referring to participation in the economy through employment or other means.

FAQs

What does it mean to "be gainfully employed"?

To "be gainfully employed" means to have a job that provides you with sufficient income or financial stability.

What can I say instead of "be gainfully employed"?

You can use alternatives such as "earn a living", "hold a paying job", or "have a lucrative career" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was gainfully employed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. You can use past tenses like "was", "were", or "had been" with "gainfully employed" to describe a past employment status.

How formal is the phrase "be gainfully employed"?

The phrase "be gainfully employed" is moderately formal. Simpler phrases like "have a job" are more appropriate in informal settings.