had work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had work" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used in the past perfect tense in the sense of "had done (some) work" and is sometimes used with "hard" to indicate extra effort. Example: I had worked hard all day and was exhausted.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I always had work.

The New York Times

You always had work.

The New York Times

We had work groups.

The New York Times

So Beatress has had work done.

The New York Times

He had work rights.

The Guardian

He always had work.

The New Yorker

And she had work experience.

The New York Times

When exactly had work stopped?

The New York Times

Has he had work done?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ideally people will have had work experience.

The Guardian - Money

I have already had work cancelled.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had work", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to the availability of employment or the completion of specific tasks. For instance, "He always "had work"" implies consistent employment, while "He "had work" to do" indicates tasks needing completion.

Common error

Avoid using "had work" when you intend to convey a present state of employment. Instead of "He had work now", use "He has work now" or "He is working now" to accurately reflect the current situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had work" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a past state of employment or possession of tasks to be completed. Ludwig examples show its usage in expressing past employment status or obligations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had work" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a past state of being employed or having tasks to complete. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. While "had work" may not be as ubiquitous as other phrases like "was employed", it remains a versatile option in both formal and informal settings, especially when emphasizing a past condition or responsibility. Remember to select the correct tense to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was employed

Focuses on the state of being employed rather than the action of having work available.

held a job

Specifies that someone possessed a job or position.

was working

Emphasizes the ongoing action of working during a specific time.

secured employment

Highlights the act of obtaining employment.

found work

Focuses on the act of discovering or obtaining employment.

obtained a position

Similar to securing employment, but emphasizes the specific role.

had a profession

Focuses on the type of job or career someone had.

was gainfully employed

Emphasizes that employment provided financial benefit.

held a post

Similar to "held a job" but can imply a higher level or more formal position.

was in service

Suggests employment within a structured organization or institution.

FAQs

How can I use "had work" in a sentence?

You can use "had work" to indicate past employment or tasks. For example, "She always "had work" during the summers", or "They "had work" to complete before the deadline".

What's the difference between "had work" and "has work"?

"Had work" refers to a past state or action, while "has work" refers to a present state. "He "had work"" means he was employed in the past, whereas "He "has work"" means he is currently employed.

What are some alternatives to saying someone "had work"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was employed", "held a job", or "was working", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I had work to do"?

Yes, it is correct to say "I "had work" to do". It means you had tasks or responsibilities that needed to be completed at some point in the past.