clock in

USAGE SUMMARY

"clock in" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It's typically used to describe when someone starts their shift at work and checks in for that shift. For example: I clocked in as soon as I arrived at work this morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Episodes of "Homecoming" now clock in under 30 minutes.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, it will clock in at 8.5% (see chart).

The Economist

"They don't clock in and out," she said.

The New York Times

Is it the amount of time you clock in?

Forbes

I clock in and check which tug I have.

BBC

Whenever you have to clock in somewhere?

Los Angeles Times

The second-place swimmer didn't clock in until 2 04.50.

Los Angeles Times

When you clock in, you hit the ground running.

HuffPost

A clock in baseball?

The New York Times - Sports

(Most blancos clock in at 80 proof).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Do they make you clock-in of a morning?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing work routines, use "clock in" to clearly indicate the act of officially starting your work shift and registering your arrival.

Common error

Avoid using "clock in" when you mean to estimate or measure something. While it can mean "to be measured at", it's less common than its primary meaning related to starting work. Use other alternatives like "measures" or "estimates" to avoid misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clock in" is that of an intransitive phrasal verb, indicating an action performed by a subject. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it describes the act of registering one's arrival at a workplace or the act of being measured at a certain value.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2.5%

Science

7.5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clock in" is a phrasal verb primarily used to describe the act of registering one's arrival at work, as confirmed by Ludwig. While also having a secondary meaning related to measurements, this is less common. Ludwig AI also confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While suitable for most contexts, more formal alternatives might be preferable in professional settings. When writing, remember its primary association with starting a work shift. Key alternatives include "punch in", "start work", and "begin shift". Always ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

punch in

A more specific synonym referring to the use of a time clock to record arrival.

start work

Focuses on the action of commencing work, omitting the specific method of recording the start time.

begin shift

Emphasizes the start of a designated work period, rather than the act of registering attendance.

register attendance

A formal way of saying "clock in", focusing on the act of recording one's presence.

get to work

Focuses on the action of starting to perform tasks, rather than the act of recording the start time.

sign in

A general term for logging one's presence, which could be digital or manual.

log in

Specifically refers to digitally recording one's presence, often on a computer system.

check in

Broader term for reporting one's arrival, applicable in various settings beyond just work.

start the day

Emphasizes the beginning of a workday, but lacks the specific connotation of registering attendance.

report for duty

Formal and military-like term emphasizing the obligation to start work.

FAQs

How do I use "clock in" in a sentence?

You can use "clock in" to describe the act of starting your work shift. For example, "I need to "clock in" by 9 AM" or "Did you remember to "clock in" this morning?"

What's the difference between "clock in" and "clock out"?

"Clock in" refers to the act of recording your arrival at work to start your shift, while "clock out" refers to recording your departure at the end of your shift.

Are there other ways to say "clock in"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "punch in", "start work", or "begin shift" depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it correct to use "clock in" in a formal setting?

While "clock in" is widely understood, it might be more appropriate to use a more formal term like "register attendance" or "report for duty" in formal or professional communications.