line of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "line of work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to someone's job or profession. For example: "My brother is a lawyer and it's been his line of work for the past five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What line of work is she in?

Independent

He enjoys his new line of work.

The New Yorker

"This is her line of work.

The New York Times

"It's in my line of work, really.

The New Yorker

What exactly is his line of work?

The Guardian

Regardless, the line of work continues.

The New York Times

Unnerving for my line of work.

The Washington Post

It comes with the line of work.

The New York Times - Style

The other line of work is more provocative.

The New York Times - Books

But in his line of work, those feelings create complications.

The New York Times - Magazine

Should beef producers look for some other line of work?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone about their job, use "What is your line of work?" to sound polite and professional.

Common error

Avoid using "line of work" when referring to hobbies or volunteer activities. It is best suited for describing someone's primary occupation or profession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "line of work" functions as a noun phrase that describes someone's occupation, profession, or the type of job they do. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase acts as the object of a question, as seen in the example: "What is your line of work?"

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "line of work" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to someone's profession or occupation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for both neutral and professional contexts, primarily appearing in news, media, and encyclopedic sources. When using "line of work", it is best to use it when asking someone about their job in a polite manner, but avoid using it to refer to hobbies. Alternatives such as "profession" or "occupation" can be used in more formal settings. The phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a reliable choice in various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupation

This term is a general synonym referring to a person's regular employment or profession.

profession

This word typically implies a vocation requiring specialized knowledge and often formal education.

career

This term refers to a long-term pursuit of a particular field or occupation.

vocation

This word suggests a calling or strong inclination towards a particular type of work.

field of expertise

This phrase emphasizes the specific area in which someone has specialized knowledge or skill.

area of specialization

This phrase denotes a specific segment within a broader field where one has focused their studies or work.

employment

This term refers to the state of being employed or having a job.

job

This is a general term for a specific task or position of employment.

trade

This term usually refers to a skilled manual occupation or craft.

work

This is a general term for activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

FAQs

How can I ask someone about their job using "line of work"?

You can ask "What is your "line of work"?" to inquire about their profession in a polite and somewhat formal manner. Alternatively, you could ask, "What do you do for a living?" for a more casual approach.

What is a more formal way to say "line of work"?

More formal alternatives to "line of work" include "profession", "occupation", or "field of expertise". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

Is "line of work" appropriate for describing a temporary job?

While "line of work" can be used for any job, it's more commonly used to describe someone's primary or long-term "career". For a temporary job, you might simply ask, "What are you working on right now?"

Can I use "line of work" to describe a field of study?

While primarily used for professions, "line of work" can sometimes extend to a field of study, especially if it directly relates to a future "career path". For example, you could say, "His line of work is in environmental science" if he intends to pursue a related profession.