off to work

USAGE SUMMARY

"off to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing someone's plans for the day or to describe someone who is about to leave for work. For example: I woke up early this morning and was quickly off to work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I am off to work until 20.30.

Independent

He was going off to work.

The New Yorker

"Then Dave went off to work.

The New Yorker

Kemp's off to work in "crisis management".

The Guardian

And then it's off to work.

The New York Times

And then he went off to work.

The New Yorker

A Nigerian married couple are off to work.

The Guardian

I say to my wife: "I'm off to work".

The Guardian - Arts

The father may be going off to work as well".

The New York Times

Sure, Mr. Maciejewski had said, and gone off to work.

The New York Times

I'd go off to work and she'd be left here.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "off to work" with a time indicator to specify when the departure occurs, for example, "He's off to work early this morning."

Common error

Avoid using "off to work" in formal or professional documents. Opt for more formal alternatives like "leaving for work" or "departing to work" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off to work" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating movement or departure towards one's place of employment. As Ludwig examples show, it is used to express the act of leaving for work.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "off to work" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate departure for one's job. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for general use. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both informal conversations and news reporting. While widely used, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional writing. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, showcasing its broad applicability in everyday language. Remember to use it to indicate a straightforward departure to a workplace.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heading to work

Uses "heading" instead of "off", emphasizing direction.

leaving for work

Focuses on the action of leaving, suitable for specifying the destination.

going to work

A more general and common way to express the action of going to one's job.

on my way to work

Highlights the state of being in transit to work.

departing for work

A more formal way of saying leaving for work.

setting off to work

Similar to "off to work" but places more emphasis on starting the journey.

bound for work

Implies a direct route or destination towards work.

starting my workday

Focuses on the commencement of the working day rather than the travel.

commuting to work

Highlights the daily travel to one's workplace.

punching in

An informal way of saying going to work

FAQs

What does "off to work" mean?

The phrase "off to work" means that someone is leaving or departing to go to their job or place of employment. It's a casual way of saying someone is starting their commute or workday.

What can I say instead of "off to work"?

You can use alternatives like "heading to work", "leaving for work", or "going to work" depending on the context.

Is "off to work" grammatically correct?

Yes, "off to work" is grammatically correct and a commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability for use in writing.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "off to work"?

The phrase "off to work" is appropriate in informal settings and conversations. It's commonly used when someone is about to leave for their job. It is better to use more formal alternatives in professional settings.