clock out

USAGE SUMMARY

'clock out' is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is typically used in the context of an employee leaving or ending their shift at work. For example, "I clocked out at 5pm and went home for the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Aggies took possession on their own 33 and ran the clock out to win the game, 38 30.

Wikipedia

You don't clock out," he says.

The Guardian - Money

We didn't clock out until just shy of midnight.

The New York Times - Travel

"Brad made a really cool clock out of those".

The New York Times

The trick: throwing the clock out the window.

The New York Times

I clock out, race home through our wincing little town.

The New Yorker

The driver, Janardan Satish, was about to clock out, but he drove to Rector Street instead.

The New York Times

"What did that clock out at?" "Ten and a half minutes," Wells said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He also instituted a "clock-out" time to separate home from work.

BBC

Rauser says her schedule follows the hours of the faculty members and researchers she is supporting, so it's not clock-in clock-out 9-to-5 days.

Science Magazine

Initially, he even recorded his clock-in and clock-out times on a clipboard that hung outside his office.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clock out" when you want to emphasize the official recording of the end of work hours, especially in contexts where time tracking is important.

Common error

Avoid using "clock out" in situations that don't involve formal work or timekeeping. For example, don't say "I'm going to clock out of this conversation"; instead, use more appropriate phrases like "excuse myself" or "end this conversation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clock out" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating the action of ending a work shift and officially recording the time of departure. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a valid and commonly used expression in the English language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clock out" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies the action of ending a work shift and officially recording the time of departure. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a valid term in written English and is primarily found in news and media, wiki, and scientific contexts. When using "clock out", ensure it is in the context of formal work or timekeeping. Alternatives like "finish work" or "end shift" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember to avoid using it in situations where formal work isn't implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

punch out

Similar to "clock out", but refers to using a time clock to record departure.

finish work

Replaces the specific act of recording time with the general act of completing one's work.

sign out

Implies a formal record of departure, often in a written log.

end shift

Focuses on the termination of a work shift, rather than the act of officially recording it.

be done for the day

Indicates completion of one's work responsibilities for that particular day.

leave work

A general term indicating departure from the workplace.

go off duty

Common in roles with defined duty periods, such as law enforcement or healthcare.

log off

In a digital context, signifies disconnecting from work-related systems.

stop working

A basic way to express the cessation of work activities.

call it a day

An idiomatic way of saying one is finished working for the day.

FAQs

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

You can use "clock out" to describe the action of ending a work shift and recording the time. For example, "I "clock out" at 5 PM every day" or "Don't forget to "clock out" before you leave".

What is a synonym for "clock out"?

Synonyms for "clock out" include "punch out", "finish work", and "end shift". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Which is correct: "clock out" or "clock off"?

"Clock out" and "clock off" are both correct and commonly used. They have the same meaning, referring to the action of recording the end of a work period. "Clock out" is more prevalent in American English, while "clock off" is more common in British English.

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

"Clock in" refers to the action of recording the start of a work period, while "clock out" refers to the action of recording the end of a work period. They are opposite actions in the context of timekeeping at work.