is at work

USAGE SUMMARY

"is at work" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that someone is currently busy, active, or occupied with their job or tasks. Example: "I can't attend the meeting right now because I am at work until 5 pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More is at work here.

The New York Times

A narrative is at work.

The New Yorker

Another economic factor is at work.

The New York Times

Elsewhere, a contrary trend is at work.

The Economist

Maybe a healthy cynicism is at work.

The New York Times

Actorly politics is at work here too.

The Economist

Still, something else is at work.

The New York Times - Sports

Surely something similar is at work here.

The New York Times - Books

Fear is at work too, he says.

The New York Times - Books

"So what force is at work? Telepathy?

Independent

An Austerian framing device is at work.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is at work" to clearly indicate that a person is currently occupied with their job or tasks. This provides a straightforward way to explain someone's unavailability or current activity.

Common error

Avoid using "is at work" when you mean "is working on". While similar, "is at work" specifies location or state of being employed, while "is working on" indicates a specific task or project.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is at work" primarily functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating the location or state of someone being employed or something being in operation. It is commonly used to describe the current status or situation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is at work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates someone's presence at their job or the operational status of a system. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase applicable in numerous contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also sees usage in Science and Formal & Business settings. When writing, ensure you're using it to specify location or state rather than the task someone is performing. Alternatives like "is functioning" or "is operating" can offer nuanced variations. The phrase's commonality and clear meaning make it a reliable choice in various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is functioning

Replaces the phrase with a focus on the active operation of something, rather than its location or state.

is operating

Similar to "is functioning" but often used for machinery or organizations.

is in operation

Emphasizes the state of being operational, suitable for systems or processes.

is in effect

Indicates that a rule or principle is currently active and influencing events.

is active

A general term indicating that something is currently engaged or performing its function.

is underway

Highlights that a process or activity is currently taking place.

is in progress

Focuses on the continuing nature of an activity, suggesting it is not yet complete.

is being utilized

Highlights the use of something, implying it is serving a purpose.

is in motion

Suggests something is actively moving or progressing.

is happening

A more general term indicating that an event or activity is occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "is at work" in a sentence?

You can use "is at work" to indicate someone's current location or activity during their working hours. For example, "She is at work right now, so she can't answer the phone."

What's a good alternative to "is at work"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is functioning", "is operating", or "is in progress" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "is at work" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "is at work" is grammatically correct and widely used. Other phrases might be more appropriate depending on the specific context, but "is at work" is generally acceptable.

What is the difference between "is at work" and "is working"?

"Is at work" typically refers to someone being present at their workplace, while "is working" implies that they are actively performing a task. For example, "He is at work, but he is not working on the report yet".