nine-to-five

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nine-to-five" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a standard work schedule, usually from 9 AM to 5 PM, often associated with office jobs. Example: "After years of freelancing, I decided to take a nine-to-five job for more stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"I was in a sedate nine-to-five job.

The Guardian - Books

The security of a nine-to-five job.

The Guardian

Regular nine-to-five jobs keep many impersonators grounded.

Huffington Post

One of them quit to take a nine-to-five.

Vice

You are more than what you have done nine-to-five to make a buck.

Huffington Post

An escape from the bills, the politics, the ELECTION, the nine-to-five grind.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It's from nine to five".

The New Yorker

From nine to five the city sits.

The New Yorker

So much for quitting the er, nine to five.

The Guardian - Money

Social work has increasingly become a nine to five profession.

The Guardian

No nine to five drudgery for Phil Swayer.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nine-to-five", ensure the context clearly indicates a standard, full-time workday. This phrase is best suited for describing routine office jobs or positions with fixed schedules.

Common error

Be mindful that "nine-to-five" is culturally specific and may not accurately represent work schedules in all regions or industries. Avoid using it when describing jobs with significantly different hours or flexible arrangements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nine-to-five" functions primarily as an adjective to describe jobs or work schedules. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. For example, 'a "nine-to-five" job' indicates a job with standard working hours.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nine-to-five" refers to a standard work schedule, typically from 9 AM to 5 PM, common in office jobs. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. It functions as an adjective, characterizing jobs with routine hours. Usage is most common in News & Media. For more formal contexts, consider "standard work hours" or "regular office hours". Remember that while "nine-to-five" is widely understood, it might be culturally specific. It's essential to be aware of the audience and the situation before applying it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standard work hours

Emphasizes the regularity and conformity to a typical schedule.

regular office hours

Highlights the office environment and the typical hours associated with it.

full-time employment

Focuses on the employment status rather than the specific hours.

traditional workday

Implies a conventional structure and duration of the work day.

fixed schedule job

Emphasizes the consistency and predictability of the working hours.

day job

A more casual term referring to a job worked during the day.

corporate job

Suggests the job is within a corporate setting with standard hours.

salaried position

Highlights the salary-based compensation and often implies regular hours.

customary working day

Similar to traditional workday but emphasizes established custom.

usual business hours

Highlights that the job follows general business timing.

FAQs

What does "nine-to-five" mean?

The term "nine-to-five" refers to a standard workday that typically starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 5:00 PM, totaling eight working hours with a lunch break. It's often associated with office jobs.

What can I say instead of "nine-to-five"?

You can use alternatives like "standard work hours", "regular office hours", or "full-time employment" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "nine-to-five" in formal writing?

While "nine-to-five" is widely understood, it might be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using "standard work hours" or "regular office hours" for a more professional tone.

What are some common jobs that are typically "nine-to-five"?

Common "nine-to-five" jobs include administrative roles, office managers, data entry clerks, and various corporate positions that adhere to traditional business hours.