fast at work

USAGE SUMMARY

"fast at work" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be working quickly or diligently on something. Example: The team was fast at work on the new project, determined to finish it before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Deep inside the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the $600 billion man is fast at work.

The New York Times

One would think that after the voting fiasco the United States experienced last fall, Congress would be fast at work pushing legislation through to provide money to update voting machines throughout the country.

The New York Times

He's rising fast at work, one promotion after another, but the secret of his success is that he loans out his apartment to the company executives for their trysts, one 45-minute slot at a time.

The Guardian - Film

WASHINGTON, April 13 — The White House is fast at work recalibrating how best to use the power of the presidency to save immigration legislation from languishing for the rest of the year, eager for a victory in what has been a difficult political season for President Bush.

The New York Times

EA has an exclusive five-year contract to program games for America Online aol and AOLTV, and it is fast at work tying its online games into Time Warner twx movies.

Forbes

On every occasion, there is a phone in hand with fingers fast at work.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Actually, I think they select for people who may or may not understand the underlying concepts but who in any case are extremely fast at working out details.

The New York Times

I have never been particularly fast at working out the details of something from the conceptual understanding — for example, it takes me a long time to solve a 7x7x7 Rubik's cube — but it turns out the Rubik's cube doesn't mind.

The New York Times

In later life be prepared to know more than younger people, but not be as fast at working it out.

BBC

And they allow the employee to connect with a company problem fast - whether at work or away - and start to solve it!

Forbes

Single and in his 30s, James was on the fast track at work.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fast at work", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific task or project the subject is diligently working on. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid substituting other prepositions for "at" in the phrase. "Fast in work" or "fast on work" are grammatically incorrect and can confuse the intended meaning. Always use "at" to maintain the correct idiomatic expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fast at work" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, describing their manner of performing tasks. It emphasizes the speed and efficiency with which someone carries out their responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fast at work" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone's efficiency and speed in performing their job. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in wiki and science-related articles. While versatile, it's essential to maintain the correct preposition "at" to avoid grammatical errors. Alternative phrases like "working diligently" or "quickly accomplishing tasks" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working diligently

Emphasizes the consistent effort and conscientiousness in performing work.

quickly accomplishing tasks

Focuses on the rapid completion of specific duties or projects.

actively engaged in duties

Highlights the involvement and attentiveness to responsibilities.

efficiently performing job functions

Stresses the optimization of processes for speedy and effective work.

swiftly executing responsibilities

Underscores the promptness and speed in handling duties.

industriously laboring

Implies a strong work ethic and dedicated effort in one's labor.

expeditiously handling tasks

Focuses on the speed and efficiency with which tasks are managed.

busily occupied with work

Emphasizes being constantly engaged and active in one's job.

zealously pursuing goals

Highlights the enthusiasm and dedication towards achieving objectives.

vigorously undertaking projects

Stresses the energy and intensity applied to project work.

FAQs

How can I use "fast at work" in a sentence?

You can use "fast at work" to describe someone who is working quickly and efficiently. For example, "The team was "fast at work" to meet the deadline".

What's a similar phrase to "fast at work"?

Similar phrases include "working diligently", "quickly accomplishing tasks", or "actively engaged in duties". These options emphasize speed and efficiency in completing tasks.

Is it grammatically correct to say "fast in work" instead of "fast at work"?

No, "fast in work" is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use in this phrase is "at". Therefore, the correct phrase is ""fast at work"".

What does "fast at work" imply about someone's work ethic?

Using ""fast at work"" suggests that someone is efficient, quick, and dedicated to completing their tasks promptly. It implies a positive work ethic and a proactive approach to responsibilities.