been at work for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been at work for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the duration of time someone has been engaged in a job or task. Example: "I have been at work for three hours on this project and I am making good progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The economic forces driving this year's nomination contests have been at work for decades.

The New York Times

Such defensive techniques reinforce pressures of social fragmentation that have been at work for decades.

The New York Times - Arts

It's 11pm on Saturday night and I've been at work for four hours.

The Guardian

Instead, a rather vicious cycle has been at work for years.

The Guardian - Opinion

Langer's team has been at work for many years on a range of nano-encapsulation projects.

MIT Technology Review

He and Mr. Bohlin had been at work for years on plans for a new house when Mr. Jobs died.

The New York Times

Australian medical teams, for instance, have been at work for several days in Banda Aceh and surrounding towns.

The Washington Post

The Intelligence Committee has been at work for nearly two years, though only now under Democratic control.

The Washington Post

The investigator or special master has apparently been at work for more than a month, according to the ruling.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

These established that workers on call (doctors, for instance) are "at work" for the purposes of working-time rules.

The Economist

However, other hands will be at work for the show.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been at work for" to clearly indicate the duration of time someone or something has been actively engaged in a task or process. This phrasing is suitable for describing both human endeavors and the operation of systems or forces.

Common error

Avoid using "been at work for" when describing a passive state or condition. This phrase implies active engagement. For example, instead of saying "The project has been at work for months" when it's been idle, specify "The project has been on hold for months".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been at work for" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the duration of time someone or something has been actively engaged in a specific task or process. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts to denote ongoing activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been at work for" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to indicate the duration of active engagement in a task or process. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, but also found in scientific and formal writing. Related phrases include "worked on for" and "engaged in for", offering similar meanings with slight nuances. When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with active engagement rather than passive states. Overall, "been at work for" effectively communicates the length of time dedicated to a specific activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked on for

Focuses on the action of working on something, rather than the state of being at work.

engaged in for

Emphasizes involvement or participation over a period.

occupied with for

Highlights the state of being busy with something.

involved in for

Similar to engaged, but can also refer to passive involvement.

dedicated to for

Implies commitment and focus on a specific task.

labored over for

Suggests hard work and effort over a period.

toiled at for

Similar to labored, emphasizing physical or demanding work.

active in for

Indicates participation or involvement.

busy with for

A more casual way of saying occupied with.

in the process of for

Highlights the ongoing nature of the work.

FAQs

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

Use "been at work for" to describe the duration of active involvement in a task or process. For example, "The research team has "been at work for" several months on this project."

What are some alternatives to "been at work for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "worked on for", "engaged in for", or "occupied with for".

Is it correct to say "has been at work for" or "had been at work for"?

Both are grammatically correct, but their use depends on the context. "Has been at work for" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present. "Had been at work for" indicates an action completed in the past before another past event.

What's the difference between "been at work for" and "been working for"?

"Been at work for" focuses on the duration of the task or activity, while "been working for" typically refers to employment or being employed by a particular organization.