getting back to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting back to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of resuming work after a break or interruption. Example: "After a short lunch break, I found it hard to focus, but I finally started getting back to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She's getting back — getting back to work.

The New York Times

Were they getting back to work?

The New York Times

"I should be getting back to work".

The New Yorker

Do you have a question on getting back to work?

The New York Times

"We are looking forward to getting back to work".

The New York Times

As for getting back to work after two weeks?

The Guardian

And the audience is getting back to work, too".

The New York Times - Books

Following the successful procedure, she is now resting and looking forward to getting back to work.

Independent

"We're going to be getting back to work," he told reporters after the service.

The New York Times

I think I'm going to be late getting back to work.

The New Yorker

"It's getting back to work: you've just got to do the right things.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience. While widely accepted, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "returning to work" or "resuming duties".

Common error

Avoid using "getting back to work" interchangeably with phrases that imply starting a new job or career. "Getting back to work" specifically suggests a return to a previously held position or work routine, not entering a new role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting back to work" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It often serves as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement, indicating the act of resuming work after an interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "getting back to work" is a common and generally accepted way to describe resuming work after an interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While it's suitable for various contexts, more formal situations may warrant using alternatives like "returning to work". As evidenced by the examples, it frequently appears in News & Media and formal business contexts. Understanding its nuances and alternatives ensures effective communication in diverse professional settings. To avoid ambiguity, use "getting back to work" to imply resuming previously held work position and tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returning to work

Replaces "getting" with "returning", offering a slightly more formal tone.

resuming work

Uses "resuming" instead of "getting back", emphasizing a formal restart of work.

going back to work

Substitutes "getting" with "going", creating a more casual and conversational tone.

restarting work

Replaces "getting back" with "restarting", focusing on the action of beginning work again.

returning to the job

Replaces "work" with "job", adding a slightly more specific context.

resuming duties

Emphasizes the resumption of responsibilities rather than just the act of working.

getting back to business

Replaces "work" with "business", appropriate in a commercial context.

going back to the office

More specific, indicating a return to a physical workplace.

re-engaging in work

Highlights the act of becoming involved or active in work again, implying a period of disengagement.

picking up where I left off

Indicates a return to a task or project that was previously interrupted.

FAQs

What's the difference between "getting back to work" and "returning to work"?

While both phrases mean resuming work after a break, "getting back to work" is slightly more informal. "Returning to work" is often used in more formal contexts, such as official announcements or HR communications.

What can I say instead of "getting back to work"?

You can use alternatives like "resuming work", "going back to work", or "returning to the job" depending on the context.

Is "getting back to work" appropriate for professional communication?

Yes, "getting back to work" is generally acceptable in professional communication, especially in emails or informal reports. However, for very formal documents, "returning to work" might be more suitable.

How to use "getting back to work" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe resuming a task, a job, or general work activities. For example: "After the meeting, we're "getting back to work" on the project." or "I'm looking forward to "getting back to work" after my vacation."