he works to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he works to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the purpose or goal of someone's work or efforts. Example: "He works to improve the efficiency of the production process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"He works to get people on track".

The New York Times

"You hope he works to demonstrate respect for women?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He works to improve the university's environmental impact.

The Guardian

Instead, he works to bring out the storytelling and the drama inherent in song.

The New Yorker

He appears affectless; in fact he works to suppress his emotions.

Independent

He works to make sure J. R. Smith stays disciplined — on and off the court.

The New York Times - Sports

"And even when he's playing at such a high level, he works to improve".

The New York Times - Sports

His journalistic skills are on full display as he works to excavate the truth from his often hazy memories.

The New Yorker

We also see how hard he works to control the extremes of his nature when we are with others.

The New York Times

What matters is that he works to the benefit of the books".

The New York Times - Magazine

In his spare time -- he claims he has some -- he works to curb parents' athletic excesses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he works to" to clearly state someone's intention or the purpose behind their actions. It's especially useful when describing professional roles or responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "he works to" in highly informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound slightly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more conversational alternatives like "he's trying to" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he works to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or aim behind someone's actions. Ludwig examples show it used to describe professional responsibilities or personal goals. This phrasing directly states the intended outcome of their efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he works to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that explains the intent behind a person's actions. Ludwig's analysis indicates its suitability for various contexts, with particular prominence in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and formality level, as alternatives like "he strives to" or "he's trying to" might be more appropriate in certain situations. Overall, understanding its function and register ensures effective communication when describing someone's objectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he strives to

Replaces "works" with "strives", emphasizing effort and determination.

he aims to

Substitutes "works" with "aims", focusing on the goal or objective.

he endeavors to

Uses "endeavors" instead of "works", suggesting a more formal and committed effort.

he seeks to

Replaces "works" with "seeks", highlighting the act of pursuing a specific outcome.

he makes an effort to

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention the effort being made.

he dedicates himself to

Focuses on commitment and devotion to a cause or goal.

he is committed to

Highlights the dedication to a specific cause or goal.

he labors to

Uses "labors" to emphasize the hard work and effort involved.

he is working towards

Shifts the focus to the ongoing process of achieving something.

he is in the process of

Emphasizes that the action is currently happening.

FAQs

How can I use "he works to" in a sentence?

"He works to" is used to describe someone's purpose or what they are trying to achieve. For instance, "He works to improve the company's sustainability efforts."

What can I say instead of "he works to"?

Alternatives include "he strives to", "he aims to", or "he endeavors to", depending on the context and level of formality.

Which is correct, "he works to" or "he works at"?

"He works to" is generally used to express purpose, while "he works at" is used to indicate a place of employment. For example, "He works to improve efficiency" versus "He works at the local factory".

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

"He works to" describes a general or ongoing purpose, while "he is working to" implies a current, active effort towards a specific goal. For example, "He works to support his family" versus "He is working to complete the project by Friday".