by working at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by working at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the means or method through which something is achieved, often in a professional or employment context. Example: "She improved her skills significantly by working at the local community center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They can then earn more by working at different jobs.

The Guardian - Arts

Judges ruled that merely by working at the camp, he was an accessory to mass murder.

Independent

As did many other musicians, Jack subsidized his career financially by working at other jobs.

The New York Times

She supplemented the family income by working at various jobs, including in the Ministry of Food.

The New York Times - Books

Defiantly, she furthers her outcast status by working at a men's bathhouse.

The New York Times

His father supports the family by working at a chicken processing plant for $10 an hour.

The New York Times

He has supported his new athletic career by working at a Home Depot.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he had been similarly affected by working at the museum.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Meyer, a Minnesota native, learned the scoring principles that underlie eBureau decades ago by working at another local company.

The New York Times

For instance, she has discussed with other patients how to combat fatigue by working at home and taking vitamin supplements.

The New York Times - Tech

He was 5 when his father died, and his mother supported the four children by working at two jobs.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how someone gains experience or supports themselves, use "by working at" to clearly indicate the method or location of their efforts. For example, "She gained valuable skills by working at the community center."

Common error

Avoid using "by working at" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "Improvements were made by working at the problem," consider a more direct phrasing like "The team improved the system by working at optimizing the algorithm".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by working at" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the means or method by which an action is carried out or a result is achieved. Ludwig AI highlights this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Science & Research

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by working at" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate the method or location through which an action is performed or a result is achieved. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. The phrase serves to provide context or explain how someone gains experience, earns income, or accomplishes a goal through their work or activity. While alternatives like "through employment at" or "via activity at" exist, "by working at" offers a versatile and widely understood way to convey this meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through employment at

Focuses specifically on formal employment as the means.

by being employed at

Highlights the state of being employed as the active mechanism.

via activity at

Emphasizes a more general sense of activity rather than strictly employment.

through engagement at

Suggests a deeper, more involved participation.

by contributing at

Highlights the aspect of making a contribution or adding value.

by participating at

Focuses on taking part in activities or events.

in virtue of working at

A more formal and less common way to express the same idea.

by virtue of employment at

Combines formality with the specific aspect of employment.

as a consequence of working at

Highlights the resulting effects of employment.

owing to labor at

A more archaic way to express earning something through labor.

FAQs

How can I use "by working at" in a sentence?

Use "by working at" to describe how someone achieves something through their job or activity at a particular place. For instance, "He saved money "by working at" a grocery store after school".

What are some alternatives to "by working at"?

Consider alternatives like "through employment at", "by being employed at", or "via activity at" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "by working at" and "through working at"?

While similar, "by working at" emphasizes the location or employer, while "through working at" focuses more on the process of working. For example, "He gained experience "by working at" the library" versus "He developed patience "through working at" the library".

Is it correct to say "achieved by working at"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. For example, "The company's success was achieved "by working at" innovation and customer satisfaction".