he working hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he working hard" is not correct in standard written English.
It is missing the auxiliary verb "is" to form the present continuous tense. Example: "He is working hard to meet the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Is he working hard behind closed doors on a new economic narrative?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Or even, is he working hard enough to deliver results?" There has been a good deal of discussion of his purchase of what he called a thirdhand Porsche, with the president saying he hoped people would understand that it helped him "to smile in the face of the many problems that have been left for me to deal with".

The New York Times

Not only is he working hard to make the merger a success; he is also trying to focus the company's attention more strongly on marketing.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He works hard.

The New York Times - Sports

But he works hard".

The New York Times - Sports

He works hard, too, man.

The New York Times - Magazine

He worked hard, he listened, he learnt.

The Guardian

So he worked hard.

The New York Times

Dad: He works hard.

The New Yorker

Plus, he works hard".

The New York Times

He worked hard and partied even harder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct auxiliary verb (is/was) with the present/past participle to form continuous tenses. For example, use "he is working hard" instead of "he working hard".

Common error

Avoid omitting the auxiliary verb "is" or "was" before the present participle. This omission results in grammatically incorrect sentences. Always double-check verb tense and structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he working hard" is intended to function as a verbal phrase describing an action, but due to the omission of the auxiliary verb, it fails to do so grammatically. Ludwig AI identifies this as an error, requiring correction to "he is working hard" or "he was working hard".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he working hard" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing auxiliary verb "is" or "was". As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "he is working hard" or "he was working hard", depending on the intended tense. While the phrase might be understood in informal contexts, it is essential to use the correct grammatical structure in formal writing. The corrected phrase functions as a verbal phrase describing an ongoing action or effort. Common contexts include news and media, emphasizing the importance of grammatical accuracy in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is putting in effort

This alternative is more general and focuses on the act of trying hard.

he is giving it his all

This phrase conveys the idea of someone making a maximum effort.

he is pushing himself

This phrase emphasizes the act of challenging one's own limits.

he is working diligently

This alternative adds a sense of thoroughness and care to the work being done.

he is exerting himself

This alternative highlights the physical or mental effort being expended.

he is laboring intensely

This phrase emphasizes the effortfulness and intensity of the work.

he is striving assiduously

This option adds a sense of attentiveness and dedication to the work.

he is toiling tirelessly

This option suggests continuous and persistent hard work without rest.

he is going the extra mile

This alternative suggests that someone is doing more than is expected.

he is grinding away

This phrase implies a monotonous and persistent form of hard work.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "he working hard"?

The grammatically correct way to say it is "he is working hard" or "he was working hard", depending on the intended tense.

Is "he working hard" grammatically correct?

No, "he working hard" is grammatically incorrect. The auxiliary verb "is" or "was" is missing. The correct forms are "he is working hard" or "he was working hard".

What can I say instead of "he working hard" to convey the same meaning?

You can use alternatives like "he is putting in effort", "he is laboring intensely", or "he is giving it his all", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "he working hard" and "he is working hard"?

"He working hard" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing auxiliary verb. "He is working hard" is the correct form, using the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now.