go about their work

USAGE SUMMARY

"go about their work" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to do or carry out one's work or tasks in a particular manner. Example: The employees were diligent and efficient, going about their work with focused determination.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Beetles go about their work underfoot.

The New York Times - Science

Here they go about their work with a mesmerizing intensity.

The New York Times

To protect their organizations from cyberthreats, companies need to understand how hackers go about their work.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Companies can also systematically examine how people go about their work.

Harvard Business Review

Innovation has become central to the way development organisations go about their work.

The Guardian

"They go about their work in a nice manner and they play hard cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

Means to an End How do artists go about their work?

The New York Times - Arts

Don't ignore the emotions and thoughts people have as they go about their work.

The Guardian

They are dressed in celebratory finery as they go about their work.

The New York Times - Arts

How will the tribunals constituted entirely of priests actually go about their work, for instance?

The New York Times

Journalists often see themselves as deserving of unique freedoms to go about their work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a group of people working, use "go about their work" to convey a sense of normalcy and routine, even in extraordinary circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "go about their work" when you need to emphasize innovation or creativity. This phrase is best suited for routine or expected tasks, not groundbreaking endeavors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go about their work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the manner in which individuals or groups perform their tasks or duties. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go about their work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the manner in which individuals or groups perform their tasks. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is suitable for various contexts, most notably in news and media, science, and business settings. The phrase conveys a sense of routine, diligence, or resilience. Alternatives include "perform their duties" and "carry out their tasks". When writing, use this phrase to show how people are fulfilling their responsibilities, especially in challenging or unexpected situations. Avoid using the phrase to describe innovative activities. With a high expert rating and strong source quality, "go about their work" is a reliable and effective way to describe the execution of tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry out their tasks

Emphasizes the completion of specific actions or assignments.

get on with their jobs

A more informal way of saying "go about their work", suggesting a focus on the practical aspects of the job.

perform their duties

Focuses on the obligatory aspect of work, suggesting a set of responsibilities being fulfilled.

execute their responsibilities

Highlights the formal and often significant nature of the work being done.

conduct their business

Specifically refers to the activities related to running a business or enterprise.

undertake their activities

Suggests a more proactive and planned approach to the work.

discharge their functions

Emphasizes the official or prescribed duties being performed.

proceed with their endeavors

Implies a sustained effort towards achieving a specific goal.

handle their affairs

Describes dealing with matters or business, often in a professional context.

manage their operations

Focuses on the oversight and control aspects of their work, often related to businesses or organizations.

FAQs

How can I use "go about their work" in a sentence?

You can use "go about their work" to describe how individuals or groups perform their usual tasks or duties. For example: "Despite the chaos, the doctors continued to "go about their work" with remarkable calm."

What are some alternatives to "go about their work"?

Alternatives include "perform their duties", "carry out their tasks", or "execute their responsibilities", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "going about their work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "going about their work" is the present participle form and is grammatically correct. It's often used in continuous tenses. For example: "They were "going about their work" as if nothing had happened."

What's the difference between "go about their work" and "go about their business"?

"Go about their work" specifically refers to tasks related to employment or duties. "Go about their business" is a broader term that includes any activities someone is engaged in, whether personal or professional. For example, people "go about their business" after work, not their work activities.