is to begin work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is to begin work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the intention or plan to start a task or job. Example: "The next step in the project is to begin work on the new software update."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Winning portfolio Whatever specialisation you choose, the next step is to begin work on a portfolio.

Independent

In July, he is to begin work as an associate in the Boston office of the consultants McKinsey & Company.

The New York Times

In October, she is to begin work as an associate at Sidley Austin, the Chicago law firm.

The New York Times

In August, he is to begin work as an associate at Audax Private Equity, an investment firm in Boston.

The New York Times

Mr. Zrebiec, 28, is to begin work in August at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, an investment firm in New York.

The New York Times

Now we know what is happening, the next step is to begin work on understanding why it is happening," said Steve Frank, also at North Carolina State University.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Next month, she is to begin working at Texas Radiology Associates, a group practice in Dallas.

The New York Times

Next month he is to begin working as a Science Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation in Washington.

The New York Times

In the fall he is to begin working out of Adam Williams Fine Art on East 78th Street.

The New York Times - Arts

This month, she is to begin working on a Ph.D. in anthropology at Tulane.

The New York Times - Style

Next month, she is to begin working at Public Schools 214 and 242 in Flushing.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with a specific timeline to provide context such as: "The project is to begin work next Monday."

Common error

Avoid using "is to begin work" when a simple active voice construction is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The team is to begin work on the report tomorrow", consider "The team will begin work on the report tomorrow" unless you want to emphasize the planned or obligatory nature of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is to begin work" functions as an infinitive phrase that expresses a future action or intention. It often indicates a planned or scheduled commencement of a task. Ludwig confirms that it's a grammatically sound expression used to denote future actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

41%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is to begin work" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a planned or scheduled commencement of an activity. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase is most frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, reflecting its neutral to professional register. While simpler alternatives exist, this phrase is particularly useful when emphasizing the planned or obligatory nature of the action. Best practices include using the phrase with specific timelines for added context, while avoiding it when a simple active voice construction would be clearer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is set to commence work

Replaces "begin" with "commence" and "is to" with "is set to", emphasizing anticipation.

is scheduled to start work

Uses "scheduled" to indicate a planned start, adding a sense of formal arrangement.

will start working

Simplifies the structure to a future tense statement of starting work.

is going to begin work

Uses a more conversational "going to" instead of "is to", making it less formal.

plans to start work

Indicates an intention or plan to begin, rather than a firm scheduling.

intends to commence working

Emphasizes intention with a more formal verb, "commence".

is about to start work

Suggests immediacy, implying that work will begin very soon.

is on the verge of starting work

Highlights the imminence of starting work, creating a sense of anticipation.

will be initiating work

Uses a more formal tone, replacing 'start' with 'initiate'.

is preparing to begin work

Focuses on the preparatory actions leading up to starting work.

FAQs

How can I use "is to begin work" in a sentence?

The phrase "is to begin work" indicates a plan or arrangement for starting a task. For example, "The construction project "is to begin work" next month" means that there's a scheduled start for the construction.

What are some alternatives to "is to begin work"?

You can use alternatives like "will start working", "is scheduled to start work", or "is set to commence work" depending on the context and level of formality required.

When is it appropriate to use "is to begin work" instead of "will begin work"?

Use "is to begin work" when you want to emphasize a planned or arranged start, often carrying a sense of obligation or formal scheduling. "Will begin work" is a simpler future tense, suitable for general predictions or intentions. For example, compare: "The team "is to begin work" immediately" (formal, planned) versus "The team "will begin work" soon" (general intention).

Is "is to begin work" formal or informal?

The phrase "is to begin work" leans toward the formal side. Simpler alternatives like "will start working" or "going to start work" are more appropriate for informal contexts.