in the middle of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the middle of work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is already involved in something and cannot be easily interrupted or stopped. For example: "I'm sorry I couldn't answer the phone, I was in the middle of work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Once I was so tired I fell asleep in the middle of work.

The Guardian

In the middle of work, we take hour-long break from our factories.

The New Yorker

"But I'm in the middle of work, and I'm all stressed out, and it's, like, ridiculous".

The New York Times

In the middle of work on God Knows, Heller separated from his wife.

The Guardian - Books

He walks out in the middle of work at two in the morning and goes to Mrs. Freninger's house.

The New Yorker

The idea seems to be that when you're in the middle of work, you'll do better and feel better if you focus just on work.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I'm in the middle of working on another novel.

The New York Times

"But the studio has gotta be in a state of chaos in the middle of working.

The New York Times - Style

Snyder was in the middle of working on Superman during my visit.

The New York Times - Magazine

It kept popping up while I was in the middle of working on other things.

Independent

I am in the middle of working on encyclopedia of Indian cooking, which will be out in 2016.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the middle of work" when you want to emphasize that an action or event is interrupting or occurring during ongoing work activities. For instance, "I can't take a call now, I'm in the middle of work."

Common error

While "in the middle of work" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "during work hours" or "while engaged in work" /s/during+work+hours that may sound more professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the middle of work" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify verbs or clauses. It indicates the timing or circumstances under which an action occurs, signifying that something happens while someone is already engaged in work.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the middle of work" is a common and correct prepositional phrase used to describe being occupied with work. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to use more formal alternatives like "during work hours" /s/during+work+hours in professional settings. Be mindful that saying "in the middle of working" is also correct and has slightly distinct implications, referring specifically to actively performing a task. Understanding the frequency and contexts can help ensure proper use of "in the middle of work" in both written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while working

A simple and direct alternative.

on the job

Highlights the professional context of the activity.

involved in work

Focuses on participation in job-related tasks.

while at work

Emphasizes the location where the activity is taking place.

occupied with work

Emphasizes the state of being busy with work.

during work hours

Focuses on the temporal aspect of being occupied with work.

engaged in work

Highlights the active involvement in work-related tasks.

at one's task

Focuses on the specific duty being performed.

at work

A very simple and direct alternative, omitting 'middle of'.

in the course of employment

A more formal way of indicating activities performed as part of a job.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in the middle of work"?

You can use phrases like "during work hours", "while at work", or "on the job" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in the middle of working" instead of "in the middle of work"?

Yes, "in the middle of working" is also correct. It typically implies being actively engaged in a task, while "in the middle of work" refers to the general state of being occupied with work.

What does "in the middle of work" imply?

It implies that someone is currently engaged in work activities and may be unable to attend to other matters due to being occupied.

When is it best to use "in the middle of work"?

Use "in the middle of work" when you want to emphasize that an activity or interruption is occurring during ongoing work and might be disruptive.