clocked out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clocked out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a workplace context to indicate that an employee has officially ended their work shift and is no longer on duty. Example: "After a long day at work, I finally clocked out and headed home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Staff clocked in and clocked out, name tags were printed.

The New Yorker

Having clocked out, Tapia emerged, looking drained, and eating Fruit and Maple Oatmeal from a paper cup.

The New Yorker

"But the person who does have the time, because they have clocked out and haven't a lot of responsibilities at home, directs the choices on the TV.

The Guardian - Sport

In the four-week trial, dozens of Wal-Mart workers testified that under pressure from their managers they frequently clocked out after 40 hours and continued working.

The New York Times

Granted, the guard Alex killed at the start of the season was a recent hire, but did no one notice that he never clocked out?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One of my first personal computers had an Intel 8086 processor that clocked out at what was then a stunning 4.77 MHz.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

They should get rid of the habit of clocking in and clocking out".

The Guardian - Opinion

Only about 50 minutes to go until she clocks out today.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On Peleliu, the battle is waged day after day after day; the shifts clocking in and clocking out unrelentingly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

After clocking out, he took me across the hall to the office of a regular resident physician.

The New Yorker

Nights are reserved for meetings with company managers, after which Kanbur finally clocks out at 4 a.m.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clocked out" to specifically indicate the action of formally ending a work shift, particularly when timekeeping is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "clocked out" in contexts where formal time tracking isn't relevant. For example, it would be unusual to say someone "clocked out" after finishing a personal project at home.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clocked out" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically indicating the action of formally ending one's work shift and recording the departure. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in describing employees completing their work hours.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clocked out" is a common phrasal verb that signifies the action of formally ending a work shift, generally used when a timekeeping system is involved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its widespread use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While "clocked out" is suitable for neutral and informal writing, more formal options like "finished work" or "completed duty" may be preferred in more formal contexts. Be careful to limit usage to situations where some sort of formal time tracking is utilized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

punched out

Similar to "clocked out", but emphasizes the action of using a time clock and often used in more blue-collar environments.

ended shift

Focuses on the completion of a work shift, regardless of the method used to record it.

finished work

A general term for completing work, applicable in many contexts but lacks the specific time-tracking connotation.

signed off

Commonly used in digital environments or radio broadcasting, referring to the end of a shift or transmission.

left work

Simple and direct, indicating departure from the workplace without specifying the formal process.

knocked off

Informal, British English term for finishing work, may not be universally understood.

completed duty

Formal and emphasizes the fulfillment of responsibilities, often used in military or official contexts.

wrapped up

Indicates the completion of tasks or projects, not necessarily related to a timed work shift.

ceased working

A formal and somewhat clinical way of saying work has stopped, less common in everyday conversation.

out of office

Indicates being away from work, either temporarily or permanently, often used in automated email replies.

FAQs

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

You can use "clocked out" to indicate that someone has finished their work shift and formally recorded their departure. For example, "She "clocked out" at 5 PM and went home".

What's the difference between "clocked out" and "left work"?

"Clocked out" implies a formal time-keeping system is in place, while "left work" simply means someone departed from their workplace. You "clock out", but you simply "leave work".

What can I say instead of "clocked out"?

Alternatives include "finished work", "punched out", or "ended shift" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "clocked out" in formal writing?

While "clocked out" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "completed duty" or "finished work".