got to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got to work" is correct and usable in written English and it is often used to express the action of starting to do a task or job.
For example: I got to work early so I could finish the project before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's got to work.

Independent

Photographers got to work.

The New Yorker

He got to work.

The New York Times

They got to work.

The New Yorker

They quickly got to work.

The New York Times

Then she got to work.

The New York Times

And we got to work".

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Snyder got to work.

The New Yorker

"So I got to work".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

You get to work.

The New York Times

Everyone gets to work.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got to work" to indicate the commencement of an activity or task, often implying a sense of purpose or necessity. For example, "After the meeting, we got to work on the presentation immediately."

Common error

Avoid using "got to work" when simply stating someone's job or profession. The phrase implies a start of an action, not a continuous state. Instead of saying "He got to work as a teacher", say "He works as a teacher" or "He started working as a teacher".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got to work" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action or task. Ludwig examples show its common usage in various contexts to describe the commencement of effort or activity. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got to work" is a versatile verb phrase that signifies the commencement of an action or task. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "began working" or "started work" can be used for similar meanings. While generally neutral in tone, avoiding its use to indicate a continuous state rather than the start of an action is crucial. With a high source quality score and consistent expert rating, employing "got to work" effectively enriches your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began working

This alternative directly replaces "got to work" with a more straightforward description of starting work.

started work

This option is a simple and direct way of saying that someone began working.

commenced work

This is a more formal way of saying "started work".

set about working

This suggests that someone started working with a specific goal or intention.

undertook the task

This phrase emphasizes the task that was started, rather than the act of working itself.

launched into action

This alternative implies a more energetic or immediate start to work.

initiated the effort

This phrase highlights the beginning of a significant or planned undertaking.

put one's shoulder to the wheel

This idiom suggests applying oneself with great effort to start a task.

took up the challenge

This phrase emphasizes the willingness to start something difficult or demanding.

embarked on the project

This implies beginning a long-term or significant project.

FAQs

What does "got to work" mean?

"Got to work" means to start doing something, typically a task or job. It implies beginning an activity with a purpose or necessity.

How can I use "got to work" in a sentence?

You can use "got to work" to describe the beginning of an action. For example, "As soon as the instructions were clear, the team "began working"".

What are some alternatives to "got to work"?

Some alternatives to "got to work" include "began working", "started work", or "commenced work", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "got to work" formal or informal?

"Got to work" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. More formal alternatives include "commenced work" or "initiated the effort".