going out to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going out to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of leaving one's home or current location to perform a job or work-related task. Example: "After breakfast, I will be going out to work at the office until evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'Going out to work?' Razia said to Mrs Islam.

The Guardian - Books

Going out to work fulfilled the same function as having respite care for him.

BMC Health Services Research

Others are prevented from going out to work or completing their education.

Independent

We're not going out to work.' And that's how Free was formed".

Independent

"You miss a lot by going out to work," Andrew Lawford confirms.

Independent

"Women still feel guilty for going out to work, instead of spending time with kids.

The Guardian - Money

For thousands of families it means going out to work won't pay and they'll be better off on benefits.

Independent

Instead of going out to work, they may sit and relax on their porch all day long instead.

The Economist

(The OECD also notes that the tax code discourages labour mobility and married women going out to work).

The Economist

By going out to work, not stimulating your child enough and so on, you could be damaging your child permanently.

The New York Times

The reality is I am just another human being going out to work to support my small family.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going out to work" when you want to emphasize the act of leaving home or a place of residence to perform work-related activities. It's particularly suitable when contrasting staying at home versus working.

Common error

While "going out to work" is widely understood, it may sound less formal than alternatives like "entering the workforce" or "reporting for duty" in business or academic writing. Consider the register of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going out to work" functions primarily as a phrasal verb describing the action of leaving a place (typically home) to perform one's job. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going out to work" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of leaving one's home to perform work-related activities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. Its register is generally neutral, leaning slightly toward informal. The phrase is frequently found in news and media contexts, and while it's acceptable in more formal settings, alternatives might be preferred. Remember to use "going out to work" when you want to emphasize the departure from home for work, and consider context to avoid overuse in strictly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving for employment

Similar to "going out to work" but emphasizes the departure aspect.

heading off to work

A more casual way of saying someone is leaving for their job.

getting a job

Focuses on securing employment, often after a period of unemployment.

entering the workforce

Focuses on the act of starting or rejoining the working population.

joining the labor force

Emphasizes participation in the overall employment sector.

reporting for duty

Suggests a formal or obligatory attendance at work.

commencing employment

A formal way of indicating the start of work.

starting one's career

Highlights the beginning of a long-term professional journey.

embarking on employment

Suggests a new and significant undertaking of work.

pursuing a job

Emphasizes the active seeking and continuation of employment.

FAQs

What does "going out to work" mean?

The phrase "going out to work" means leaving one's home or current location to perform a job or work-related task.

What can I say instead of "going out to work"?

You can use alternatives like "heading off to work", "leaving for employment", or "entering the workforce" depending on the context.

Is "going out for work" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is "going out to work". The preposition "to" indicates the purpose or destination, which is the workplace.

When is it appropriate to use "going out to work"?

It's appropriate when describing the action of someone leaving their home or place of residence to go to their job. It's often used in contrast to staying home or being unemployed.