he was worked

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was worked" is not a correct or usable phrase in standard written English.
The verb "worked" is usually used as a transitive verb, meaning it needs an object. When used in a passive sentence, it is used with a past participle, not the base form of the verb. For example, "He was worked hard by his boss" would be a possible sentence, with "hard" being the past participle of "work." However, in this sentence, it is clearer and more natural to use the verb "was" with an adjective, such as "He was exhausted by his boss." One possible context in which "he was worked" could be used is in a conversation about a character in a novel or film who is being manipulated or controlled by someone else. An example could be: "Did you notice how the villain in the story had completely worked the main character?" "Yes, he was worked like a puppet. He didn't even realize he was being used until it was too late."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He was worked up for nothing.

The New Yorker

And, he explained, he had posted the comment late at night, when he was worked up after watching "The Jerry Springer Show".

The New Yorker

However, Kimbrel has poor control (3.74 walks per 9 innings pitched); he was worked hard as a rookie, throwing the eighth-most pitches among all relievers; and his track record is short, consisting of fewer than 100 major-league innings.

The New York Times

Mr. Spath is not much concerned with how the rest of the world views commercial bail bonds, but he was worked up about recent talk of a greater government role in pretrial release here in Broward County.

The New York Times

"Her other son, by contrast, studying engineering at Bristol, saw the system at its best: he was worked off his feet, with plenty of support and mostly excellent teaching.

The Guardian

Andrew Flintoff made the best of an unnatural task before he was worked over in one Murali over, a sequence that ended with a quicker, bigger off-spinner trapping him lbw on the back foot.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He was working.

The New York Times

When he was working.

The New Yorker

He was working for me," he insisted.

Independent

"He was working undercover.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Even at night, he was working".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "he was worked" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "he was employed" or "he was working hard" for clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is attempting to use "he was worked" in a passive construction when a more direct and active voice is appropriate. Instead of saying "he was worked hard", use "he worked hard" to improve sentence structure and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was worked" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, although it is grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI points out that "worked" typically requires an object. While examples exist, they often indicate heavy exertion or manipulation, not standard employment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was worked" is grammatically questionable and has limited use in contemporary English. Ludwig AI notes its grammatical issues and suggests more suitable alternatives. While examples exist, mainly in news and scientific contexts, better options are available for clarity and correctness. When intending to express employment, alternatives like "he was employed" or "he was working" are preferable. If manipulation or overexertion is the focus, consider "he was manipulated" or "he was overworked". Due to its grammatical incorrectness, usage should be approached with caution and avoided in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was employed

Replaces 'worked' with a more standard verb for describing someone's job.

he was toiling

Uses 'toiling' to emphasize hard or continuous work.

he was laboring

Similar to 'toiling', but can also imply physical effort.

he was managed

Focuses on the aspect of being directed or controlled in his work, shifting from the action of working itself.

he was manipulated

Conveys a sense of being influenced or controlled, often negatively.

he was used

Highlights the exploitation aspect, suggesting someone benefited from his work without proper reciprocation.

he was busy

Indicates that someone was engaged in activity, though not necessarily at work.

he was active

Suggests involvement in some form of work or activity, but is more general.

he was industrious

Emphasizes the trait of being hardworking and diligent, rather than the specific action.

he was diligent

Similar to 'industrious', highlighting attentiveness and dedication to tasks.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "he was worked" in a sentence?

To correct "he was worked", use phrases like "he was employed" or "he was working", depending on the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "he was worked" that sound more natural?

More natural alternatives include "he was laboring", "he was toiling", or simply "he worked".

Is "he was worked" grammatically correct?

No, "he was worked" is generally not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use active voice or a more appropriate passive construction.

When might I use a phrase similar to "he was worked", and what would be a better option?

If you intend to convey manipulation, consider "he was manipulated" or "he was used". If you mean employment, use "he was employed".