cleared to work

USAGE SUMMARY

"cleared to work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to someone who has been given the permission to work on a job or task. For example, "The boss gave me the go-ahead and I was cleared to work on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He said the company would be cleared to work on projects after the settlement was approved.

The New York Times

She said he was cleared to work by a D.C. police board that does background checks of security officers.

The Washington Post

He gained access to those documents after he was cleared to work at NSA contractor Booz Allen Hamilton.

The Washington Post

Mr Lancaster was cleared to work on the vast MoD contract known as "DII" or Defence Information Infrastructure, marrying up the military's various computer networks.

Independent

The process of getting cleared to work in the United States has gotten more cumbersome since 9/11 and has discouraged some applicants.

The New York Times - Travel

The last discussion with Ms. Kiesel came after Ms. Peterson informed her that the trooper had been cleared to work full time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Then his doctors sent word: he was going to be cleared to go to work.

The New York Times - Arts

"The need is clear to work on the confidence of our customers for the future," Tim Smith, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association commissioner, said yesterday on a conference call.

The New York Times - Sports

The justice department argues, however, that Kushner is clear to work in the administration because the president has authority to hire White House positions exempted from the nepotism law.

The Guardian

Assuming Bliss is clear to work without restrictions, her sequences in the Rumble could be entertaining.

Forbes

Church: He's working out in the pool today and hopes to be cleared to start working out again tomorrow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cleared to work", ensure you specify the context or type of work they are cleared for to avoid ambiguity. For example, "cleared to work with children" or "cleared to work on classified projects".

Common error

Avoid assuming "cleared to work" implies universal permission. It often refers to specific roles, projects, or levels of security. Confirm the exact scope to prevent misunderstandings or compliance issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleared to work" functions as a passive infinitive phrase, indicating that someone has received authorization or permission to begin working. This construction emphasizes the state of being authorized rather than the action of authorizing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cleared to work" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that someone has obtained the necessary authorization or permission to begin working. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a functional passive infinitive phrase that effectively conveys that someone has met the requirements for employment or a specific task. It is often found in neutral contexts, like news reports and general discussions, and in professional settings. When using the phrase, specifying the context is important. Alternative phrases such as "authorized to work" and "permitted to work" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorized to work

Emphasizes formal approval or permission, suggesting a legal or official authorization process.

permitted to work

Indicates that someone has been granted permission, often implying that there were potential restrictions.

approved to work

Highlights that someone's work eligibility has been officially sanctioned or endorsed.

eligible to work

Focuses on meeting the necessary requirements or qualifications for employment.

given the green light to work

An idiomatic expression indicating that permission has been granted to proceed with a task.

authorized for employment

A more formal and legalistic way of saying "cleared to work", emphasizing the legality of employment.

deemed fit to work

Focuses on someone's suitability or capability to perform work, often after a health assessment.

sanctioned to work

Implies an official endorsement or approval to work, often by a governing body.

given leave to work

Indicates that permission has been granted, which may imply a formal request was necessary.

entitled to work

Suggests that someone has a right or entitlement to work, often by virtue of citizenship or legal status.

FAQs

How can I use "cleared to work" in a sentence?

You can use "cleared to work" to indicate that someone has received the necessary approvals or permissions to begin working. For example, "After passing the background check, she was "cleared to work" on the project".

What's a synonym for "cleared to work"?

Synonyms for "cleared to work" include "authorized to work", "permitted to work", or "approved to work", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to be "cleared to work"?

Being "cleared to work" generally means that an individual has met all the necessary requirements, such as background checks, qualifications, or legal permissions, to begin employment or a specific task.

Is there a difference between "eligible to work" and "cleared to work"?

"Eligible to work" typically refers to meeting the basic legal requirements for employment, while "cleared to work" often implies that additional checks or approvals have been obtained for a specific role or project. They are similar but "cleared to work" usually implies more scrutiny than simply being "eligible to work".