do work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do work" is acceptable in written English but it is a rather informal phrase and should generally be avoided in formal or professional contexts.
For example, "It's time to roll up our sleeves and do some work!".

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I do work.

The New York Times

And they do work.

The New York Times

And yes, I do work.

The New York Times - Science

"Your muscles do work harder".

The New York Times

"Dunes do work.

The New York Times

They do work.

The Guardian - Arts

Placebos do work.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Psychologists do work.

The Guardian - Sport

And maybe online petitions do work.

The New York Times

They refuse to do work deemed servile.

The New Yorker

"Orthotics do work," Mr. Kennedy said.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if a more formal alternative to "do work" would be appropriate for your audience and context. Using phrases like "perform duties" or "carry out tasks" can enhance professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "do work" excessively in formal documents or professional communications. Relying on this phrase too often can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Vary your language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do work" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of performing tasks or engaging in labor. As Ludwig AI suggests, the acceptability of the phrase depends on the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do work" is a common way to express the act of performing tasks or being functional. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI considers it somewhat informal, making it more suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing. For professional or academic contexts, alternatives like "perform duties" or "carry out tasks" may be more appropriate. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its common usage, but it's crucial to consider the audience and context when choosing this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get things done

Emphasizes the completion of tasks and achieving results.

carry out tasks

Focuses on the execution of specific tasks instead of general work.

handle responsibilities

Emphasizes the management and execution of assigned duties.

perform duties

Replaces "do work" with a more formal expression emphasizing responsibilities.

undertake projects

Highlights the project-based nature of the work being done.

exert effort

Highlights the amount of effort expended in doing work.

engage in labor

Uses a more traditional term for "work", suggesting physical or manual effort.

function properly

Shifts the focus to the proper operation of something, rather than actively doing work.

be effective

Focuses on the outcome of work, rather than the act of working.

be in operation

Describes something that is working or functioning correctly.

FAQs

How can I use "do work" in a sentence?

You can use "do work" to describe the act of performing tasks or exerting effort, as in "They "do work" for clubs and hotels" or "You "do work" all year round".

What are some alternatives to "do work"?

Instead of "do work", consider alternatives like "perform duties", "carry out tasks", or "undertake projects", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "do work"?

The phrase "do work" is acceptable in informal contexts, like conversations or casual writing. For professional or academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives.

Is "do work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "do work" is grammatically acceptable, but Ludwig AI suggests that it's a rather informal phrase. Depending on the context, it may be more appropriate to use more formal alternatives.