left to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "left to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has departed to engage in their job or tasks. Example: "After the meeting, she left to work on the project that was due next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Toomey left to work for then-Gov.

The New York Times

There is really nothing left to work with.

The New York Times

A few have already left to work abroad.

The Guardian - Money

He left to work at Lutèce, Payard and Jean Georges.

The New York Times - Food

He attended Macalester for two years and then left to work in a bank.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In November, the restaurant's pastry chef, Sandro Michelli, left to work at Daniel.

The New York Times

In 2007 I left to work at Benchmark Capital as entrepreneur in residence.

The New York Times

Once she had collected enough data, she left to work on her dissertation.

The New Yorker

Lilly briefly attended college, but left to work as a nurse's aide.

The New York Times

Afterward, Mr. Gordon attended Brooklyn College but left to work before graduating.

The New York Times

"In academic progress, there's certainly a lot left to work on," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "left to work" to clearly indicate a transition from one activity or location to the commencement of work-related tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "left to work" when the focus is on tasks already in progress. It's better suited for instances where someone transitions into work rather than continuing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "left to work" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a transition or departure in order to begin or continue working. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "left to work" is a grammatically sound and very common verb phrase used to denote a transition towards engaging in work-related activities. As Ludwig confirms, its usage is versatile, spanning news media, encyclopedias, and general contexts. While it fits seamlessly into neutral registers, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with a clear transition into work. Alternatives like "departed to start working" or "went on to perform work" can offer subtle variations in emphasis. Overall, "left to work" serves as a reliable and effective means of conveying a shift to work-related tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returned to the workplace

Indicates the act of going back to a professional setting.

departed to start working

Emphasizes the act of leaving to commence work activities.

transitioned into employment

Emphasizes a shift or move into a work-related role.

went on to perform work

Highlights the continuation or progression to carry out work.

took up a job

Indicates the act of accepting or starting a job.

relocated for employment

Focuses on changing location for job opportunities.

embarked on a work venture

Highlights the beginning of a new work-related endeavor.

with remaining duties to complete

Highlights the existence of unfinished tasks that need attention.

advanced to a working role

Emphasizes progression or promotion to a job position.

retired to pursue a career

Indicates a shift from retirement to active employment.

FAQs

How can I use "left to work" in a sentence?

You can use "left to work" to indicate that someone has departed to engage in their job or tasks. For example: "After the meeting, she "left to work" on the project that was due next week."

What are some alternatives to "left to work"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "departed to start working", "went on to perform work", or "relocated for employment".

Is it appropriate to use "left to work" in formal writing?

Yes, "left to work" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business or professional contexts, where it clearly conveys a transition to work-related activities.

What's the difference between "left to work" and "went to work"?

"Left to work" emphasizes the departure or transition towards working, whereas "went to work" simply indicates the act of going to one's workplace. The former highlights the change in activity more than the latter.