most of the work

USAGE SUMMARY

"most of the work" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a significant portion of a task that has been completed or is in progress. For example: "I have done most of the work on the project, so I should be able to finish it by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She does most of the work".

The New York Times

Volunteers do most of the work.

The New York Times

Our imaginations do most of the work.

The Guardian

O'Sullivan does most of the work.

The New York Times - Sports

"Most of the work is really mundane.

The New York Times

Most of the work is less glamorous.

The New York Times

Most of the work is fee-based".

The New York Times

But most of the work is routine.

The New York Times

Most of the work remains anonymous.

The New York Times

Do most of the work yourself.

Harvard Business Review

Machines do most of the work, and they work fast.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, quantifying "most of the work" with percentages or specific tasks can add precision. For instance, "Most of the work, approximately 70%, involved data collection and analysis."

Common error

Avoid using "most of the work" loosely without clear evidence. Overstating one's contribution can lead to misunderstandings and damage team dynamics. Always ensure the claim is supported by facts and specific examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most of the work" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that a significant portion of the total effort or activity has been, is being, or will be dedicated to a specific task. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

25%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most of the work" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote the major portion of effort in a given task. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure accurate attribution of effort and avoid overstating contributions. Alternative phrases like "the majority of the effort" or "the bulk of the undertaking" can be used for a more formal tone, while expressions such as "the lion's share of the labor" offer a more casual alternative. With its high frequency and broad applicability, "most of the work" remains a valuable tool for expressing effort allocation in both professional and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of the effort

Focuses more specifically on the 'effort' component, whereas "most of the work" is more general.

the bulk of the undertaking

Emphasizes the 'undertaking' aspect, suggesting a project or endeavor.

the lion's share of the labor

Uses a figurative expression to highlight the 'labor' involved.

the greater part of the job

Replaces 'work' with 'job', making it slightly more informal.

the main portion of the task

Highlights the 'task' component and emphasizes the 'main' aspect.

the heaviest lifting

A more idiomatic way of expressing the most difficult part of the work.

primary responsibility

Shifts the focus to who is responsible for the bulk of the work.

chief contribution

Emphasizes the significant contribution made, rather than the overall workload.

predominant activity

Focuses on the activity being performed more than the effort involved.

principal involvement

Highlights the degree of involvement rather than the amount of work.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "most of the work" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "the majority of the effort", "the bulk of the undertaking", or "the greater part of the job".

Is it correct to say "the most work" instead of "most of the work"?

While "the most work" can be grammatically correct in some contexts, "most of the work" is generally preferred when referring to a specific task or project. "The most work" is better suited for comparative statements, such as "This project required the most work".

What's a more casual way to say "most of the work"?

Informally, you might say something like "the lion's share of the labor" or "the heaviest lifting" to convey that someone did the majority of the work in a less formal way.

Can "most of the work" refer to both physical and mental effort?

Yes, "most of the work" is versatile and can describe both physical labor and intellectual effort. The context usually clarifies whether you're referring to manual tasks, cognitive processes, or a combination of both.