join the workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

'join the workforce' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used when discussing an individual's decision to look for employment. For example, "After graduating from college, he decided to join the workforce and find a career he was passionate about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each year 13m Indians join the workforce.

The Economist

Young people trying to join the workforce for the first time were hit particularly hard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Men earned less money, forcing more women to join the workforce to make ends meet.

The New York Times

Statistics show there are fewer babies being born and fewer young people to join the workforce.

The Guardian - Money

When we chopped off our long hair and consented to join the workforce, we were guaranteed a job for life.

The Guardian - Books

More children would increase the dependency ratio until they were old enough to join the workforce, but reduce labour shortages in the long term.

The Economist

13) Work is (kind of) exciting Any small injection of money during the holidays or weekends is much more appreciated than when you join the workforce full-time.

Independent

The Pill and a decline in the average number of children, together with later marriage and childbearing, have made it easier for married women to join the workforce.

The Economist

These are just the sort of concerns that India must attract if it is to create jobs for the 13m people who join the workforce each year.

The Economist

We're repeatedly told that we're not well-qualified enough to join the workforce – that our free summer holidays should be spent working, volunteering or undertaking work experience.

The Guardian

Akter arrived in Dhaka three years ago with her family to join the workforce that sews clothes for some of the world's biggest retail brands.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "join the workforce" when discussing the aggregate of individuals entering employment, or when highlighting the transition from education or other activities to paid work. It’s particularly apt when analyzing economic trends or policy impacts.

Common error

While "join the workforce" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "start working" or "get a job" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "join the workforce" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating the action of entering or becoming part of the employed population. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "join the workforce" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of entering the labor market. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While highly prevalent, it’s best to reserve this phrase for neutral to formal discussions, opting for simpler alternatives in casual conversation. When aiming for clarity and professionalism in writing or speech, "join the workforce" effectively conveys the transition into employment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enter the labor market

Focuses on the broader economic concept of the labor market.

start working

A more straightforward and general way to express beginning employment.

begin employment

A formal way of saying someone is starting a job.

become employed

Highlights the state of being employed rather than the action of starting work.

enter the world of work

Emphasizes the broader experience of entering professional life.

secure a position

Focuses on the act of obtaining a specific job.

find work

Emphasizes the act of searching for and obtaining employment.

take up employment

Implies accepting or commencing a job offer.

embark on a career

Focuses on the beginning of a long-term professional path.

integrate into the labor pool

Highlights the act of becoming part of the available workforce.

FAQs

What does it mean to "join the workforce"?

To "join the workforce" means to start participating in the labor market, usually by taking on a job or seeking employment after completing education or other activities.

What can I say instead of "join the workforce"?

You can use alternatives like "enter the labor market", "start working", or "begin employment" depending on the context.

Is "join the workforce" formal or informal?

"Join the workforce" is considered a neutral to formal phrase, often used in economic discussions, news reports, and business contexts. It's less common in casual conversations.

How do economic policies affect people's ability to "join the workforce"?

Economic policies can significantly influence the availability of jobs, the skills required for employment, and the support systems (like childcare or training programs) that enable individuals to enter the labor market.