did he work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did he work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about someone's employment or activity in the past. Example: "I wonder if he worked at the company last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

WHERE did he work?

The New York Times

Did he work for it?

The New Yorker

How long did he work for you?

The New York Times

Did he work from photographs?

The New Yorker

Did he work in the nearby fields?

The New York Times - Travel

Did he "work" with the pastor?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

WHERE does he work?

The New York Times

Does he work on television?

Independent

WHERE does he work now?

The New York Times

With whom does he work?

The New York Times

Where does he work – the Department of Obnoxiousness?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did he work", ensure the context clearly indicates the timeframe you're asking about. For example, "Did he work here last year?"

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the period you're inquiring about. Saying just "Did he work?" can be confusing; instead, clarify with "Did he work on that project?" or "Did he work during the summer?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did he work" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a yes/no question, used to inquire about someone's past employment or engagement in a particular task or activity. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a standard and correct way to form such questions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did he work" is a grammatically correct and frequently used interrogative phrase, primarily employed to inquire about someone's past employment or involvement in a specific task. According to Ludwig, it follows standard English grammar rules. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutrality makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, specify the timeframe to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was he employed" or "did he have a job" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was he employed

Focuses specifically on whether the person held a job.

did he have a job

Similar to "was he employed", but slightly more informal.

what was his occupation

More formal, inquiring about the person's profession.

where did he find employment

Asks not only if he worked but also where he was employed.

did he hold a position

Focuses on whether the person held a formal position.

what kind of work did he do

Inquires about the nature of the work performed.

what were his duties

Focuses specifically on the tasks and responsibilities.

was he active professionally

Broader, asking about professional activity in general.

what was his source of income

Focuses on how the person earned money.

did he earn a living

Asks if the person was self-sufficient through work.

FAQs

How do I use "did he work" in a sentence?

You can use "did he work" to inquire about someone's past employment or specific tasks. For example, "Did he work on the project?" or "Did he work at the company last year?"

What can I say instead of "did he work"?

Alternatives include "was he employed", "did he have a job", or "what was his occupation depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "did he worked" instead of "did he work"?

No, "did he worked" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "did he work" because "did" already indicates the past tense.

What's the difference between "did he work" and "has he worked"?

"Did he work" refers to a specific time in the past, while "has he worked" refers to any time up to the present. For example, "Did he work there last year?" versus "Has he ever worked there?".