been out of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been out of work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been unemployed for a period of time. Example: "After being out of work for several months, she finally landed a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But you've never been out of work.

Independent

I've never been out of work".

The Guardian

"She's never been out of work".

The New York Times - Style

They know we've been out of work".

The New York Times

Been out of work for a couple of weeks.

The New Yorker

These men have been out of work for four months.

The New York Times

But Donal had never been out of work.

The New Yorker

He, too, has been out of work for six months.

Independent

He's now been out of work for nine months.

Independent

Most have been out of work for months.

The New York Times

Think of how many would have been out of work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's employment status, provide context on the duration. For example, specify if they have "been out of work" for a few weeks, months, or years to provide more clarity.

Common error

Avoid language that suggests someone "been out of work" is not actively seeking employment or is unwilling to work. Focus on the factual situation and avoid making assumptions about their motivation or skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been out of work" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a state of unemployment. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe individuals or groups who are currently without a job.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been out of work" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone's unemployment status. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely used in news and media, formal business contexts, and science, and carries a neutral tone. When using the phrase, consider providing context about the duration of unemployment. Alternatives such as "unemployed", "jobless", or "seeking employment" can also be utilized depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful to avoid assumptions about the person's efforts or willingness to work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unemployed

A more concise and direct term to describe someone without a job.

jobless

Similar to "unemployed" but can sometimes imply a more widespread economic issue.

out of a job

Direct synonym, similar to saying "jobless" or "unemployed".

without employment

A slightly more formal way of saying "unemployed".

not currently employed

Neutral expression meaning the person doesn't have a job at the moment.

between jobs

Implies a temporary state of unemployment, often suggesting the person is actively seeking work.

seeking employment

Focuses on the active search for a job, rather than the state of being unemployed.

looking for work

A common and straightforward way to describe the act of job searching.

between contracts

Specifically used when someone is a contractor and doesn't have a current contract.

experiencing unemployment

A more clinical and detached way of referring to being unemployed.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone has "been out of work"?

Saying someone has "been out of work" means they are currently unemployed and not actively engaged in a job or profession.

What are some alternatives to "been out of work"?

You can use alternatives like "unemployed", "jobless", or "seeking employment" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to ask someone why they have "been out of work"?

It can be a sensitive question. Consider the relationship you have with the person and the context before asking. Focus on expressing support rather than pressing for details.

How long is considered long-term when someone has "been out of work"?

While there's no strict definition, being "been out of work" for six months or more is often considered long-term unemployment, which can present additional challenges in finding new employment.