is on work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is on work" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when someone intends to say that a person is currently engaged in work or a task. Example: "She is on work today, so she won't be available for the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But the onus is on work; it's their responsibility".

Independent

The focus is on "work that's risky, adventurous," said Fran Kumin, the initiative's director.

The New York Times

Every year when I get here, my focus is on work on the greens; as it should be".

The Guardian - Sport

Born in the Bronx, in New York, Washington's own upbringing stemmed from a "middle-class working family – where the focus is on work ethic".

Independent

Here is a prince without portfolio living like a billionaire potentate, a prince whose association with a convicted sex offender has brought the royal family into disrepute, and a prince who laughingly tells us his focus is on work.

The Guardian

While a planter is on work, undesired situations such as spinning and slipping on ground wheel, vibration, seizing and jamming on the chain-sprocket systems may occur during the transfer of the motion from the ground wheel to the seed-metering unit especially at high operating speeds.

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"If somebody is on work-related benefits or incapacity benefit and what is stopping them from getting back into work is their drug problem, what we are saying is that we will expect people as a minimum to come and have an appointment - a meeting - with a specialist drug treatment adviser," she told Radio 4's Today programme.

The Guardian

Jason's father, 56, is on work-release living in a halfway house in New York City.

Forbes

The second source of data was on work permits.

Human Resources for Health

Everyone is on court working on skills.

The New York Times

Be to work on time.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "is on work" in formal writing. Opt for more standard phrases like "is working on a project" or "is at work".

Common error

The common error is using the preposition "on" instead of "at" or omitting it entirely. "Is on work" sounds unnatural. Always clarify with "at work" for location or "is working" to describe the activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is on work" functions as a predicate attempting to describe someone's state or activity, but it does so incorrectly. Ludwig AI shows that standard usage requires "at work" or "is working" to convey the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "is on work" might appear in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that standard English uses "at work" or "is working" to properly convey the idea of someone being engaged in their job. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to avoid "is on work" and opt for the recommended alternatives. The phrase is more commonly found in news and media, but its informal nature and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for professional or academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is at work

Replaces the preposition "on" with "at" to indicate someone's presence at their workplace.

is working

Uses the verb "working" to directly express the act of performing work.

is engaged in work

More formally expresses involvement in work-related activities.

is occupied with work

Indicates that someone's time and attention are taken up by work.

is involved in work

Suggests participation or connection to work-related projects or tasks.

is dedicated to work

Emphasizes commitment and focus on work.

is immersed in work

Conveys a deep level of engagement and absorption in work.

is tied up with work

Implies that someone is busy and unavailable due to work commitments.

is laboring

Implies that someone is working hard.

is toiling

Indicates sustained and often arduous effort in work.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say someone is at their job?

The correct phrases are "is at work" or "is working". The expression "is on work" is not grammatically correct.

What can I say instead of "is on work"?

Use alternatives like "is at work" to indicate someone is present at their job or "is working" to describe the activity of doing work.

How do I properly indicate that someone is currently performing a task?

Use the phrase "is working on" followed by the specific task or project. For example, "She is working on a presentation" is clearer than "She is on work".

Is "is on work" ever correct?

While some instances of "is on work" may appear, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's best to use the alternatives mentioned above for clarity and correctness.