cut down on working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cut down on working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reduction of work hours or workload in a professional or personal context. Example: "To improve my work-life balance, I need to cut down on working late nights and weekends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"After this H.I.V. thing, I've just totally cut down on working".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Depending on your rung of the economic ladder, it's either impossible, or at least usually feels impossible, to cut down on work in exchange for more time.

The Guardian - Tech

One solution is to make sure path edges have a good slant towards the bed, as this helps when edging them: it doesn't cut down on work, but it does make the job easier, and the more you cut, the less vigorous the grass will be at the edge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At the end of 7 years, I had managed to write the book I always wanted to write, another friend started a non-profit and many others took steps towards realizing their dreams -- whether it was taking up an art class, going back to school or deciding to cut down on work.

Huffington Post

We cut down on the manual work and it gives them more visibility to determine how enrollment is proceeding".

TechCrunch

Cut Down on Plastic Bag Usage.

Forbes

Cut down on clutter.

WikiHow

Cut down on your cardio.

WikiHow

Cut down on your alcohol consumption.

WikiHow

Cut down on what you buy.

WikiHow

There's a huge knowledge store they're developing, which leverages work done on past projects to cut down on re-work with new endeavors in the same vertical to keep costs down, except in situations like banking, where doing so wouldn't be appropriate because of privacy.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for better work-life balance, explicitly state the intended benefits when you "cut down on working". For example: "I will cut down on working late to spend more time with family".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying which aspects of "working" you are reducing. Instead of a vague "I need to cut down on working", clarify with "I need to cut down on working overtime" or "I need to cut down on working during weekends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cut down on working" functions as a verb phrase indicating a reduction in the amount or intensity of work performed. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cut down on working" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to indicate a reduction in work hours or workload. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While it often implies seeking a better work-life balance or reducing stress, it's crucial to specify which aspects of work are being reduced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "reduce work hours" or "decrease workload". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science publications, suggesting a generally neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce work hours

Focuses specifically on the time spent working.

decrease workload

Emphasizes reducing the amount of tasks or responsibilities.

work less

A simpler, more direct way of saying the same thing.

scale back work commitments

Highlights a reduction in obligations and appointments related to work.

lighten the workload

Suggests making the amount of work less burdensome.

reduce professional obligations

Specifically targets a decrease in duties related to one's profession.

shorten work schedule

Implies adjusting the timeframe of one's working day or week.

curtail working hours

A more formal way to express the reduction of work time.

lessen job responsibilities

Emphasizes diminishing the duties associated with a job.

trim work duties

Suggests selectively removing or reducing some job tasks.

FAQs

What does "cut down on working" mean?

The phrase "cut down on working" means to reduce the amount of time or effort you dedicate to your job or professional activities. It implies a conscious decision to decrease your workload or work hours.

How can I "cut down on working" without affecting my performance?

Strategies include prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, using time management techniques, and setting realistic goals. Efficient planning and focus can allow you to "work smarter", not harder.

What are some alternatives to saying "cut down on working"?

You can use phrases like "reduce work hours", "decrease workload", or simply "work less" depending on the specific context.

Is it always beneficial to "cut down on working"?

While reducing work can improve well-being and prevent burnout, consider potential impacts on career advancement or financial stability. The decision should align with your personal and professional goals.