once at work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once at work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a specific time or condition when someone is at their workplace, often to introduce what happens after arriving at work. Example: "Once at work, I immediately checked my emails and started on my tasks for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

(He went through her purse once at work).

The New Yorker

Once at work, she would sneak to a nearby gym to shower.

The New York Times - Sports

Once at work, she's surprised by a visit from her client, Fuller (Jared Harris), who's seeking compensation for an office accident.

The Guardian - Film

Samuel Alito, known for more conservative views, also said Abercrombie must have suspected Elauf's headscarf was permanent, otherwise it would have simply assumed she would not wear it again once at work.

The Guardian

Once at work, the first thing I do is to have a cup of tea in my favourite mug and catch up with colleagues before checking overnight voicemails and emails (client queries, legal updates and news updates).

The Guardian

(He went through her purse once at work). A distressed woman complains that her son is keeping bad company, and Sampath responds in homespun homilies: "If your child is playing with a dead smelly mouse...throw away the mouse and take your child indoors to wash his hands". The questions come fast and furious.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I was once recognised at work.

The Guardian - Sport

The hidden hand of the G.O.P. establishment is once again at work.

The New York Times

Ask every candidate about a problem they once faced at work and how they overcame it.

HuffPost

Once, while hard at work drafting a new defensive scheme, he all but disappeared.

The New Yorker

"Women get turned off not only in college, but once they are at work".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "once at work" to clearly indicate the start of activities or changes in behavior upon arrival at the workplace. This helps to establish a clear sequence of events for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "once at work" to simply describe being in the workplace. It implies a specific moment or action following arrival, not a general state of being. For general location use "at work" or "in the workplace" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once at work" functions as an adverbial phrase, specifically a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb of time. It modifies the verb in the main clause by specifying when the action takes place, immediately after arriving at the workplace. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage, showing actions taken "once at work".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once at work" is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverb of time, used to indicate actions or states immediately following arrival at the workplace. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable in various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media sources, carrying a neutral register. When writing, remember that "once at work" implies a specific moment after arrival, not a general location. Alternatives like "upon arriving at work" or "after getting to work" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon arriving at work

Emphasizes the action of arriving as the trigger for subsequent events.

after getting to work

Highlights the completion of the commute and arrival at the job.

on arrival at the office

More formal and specific to an office environment.

when I get to work

Focuses on the speaker's perspective and anticipation.

having arrived at work

Uses a participle phrase to describe the state after arrival.

at the workplace

General location, not necessarily immediately after arrival.

after reaching the office

Similar to 'after getting to work', but more specific to office setting.

subsequent to arriving at work

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of events.

following my arrival at work

Similar to 'subsequent to arriving at work', slightly less formal.

after commencement of work

Highly formal, suitable for official or legal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "once at work" in a sentence?

You can use "once at work" to describe actions or feelings that occur after arriving at the workplace. For example, "Once at work, I check my emails and prioritize my tasks."

What phrases are similar to "once at work"?

Similar phrases include "upon arriving at work", "after getting to work", or "on arrival at the office".

Is "once at work" formal or informal?

"Once at work" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both professional and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language.

What's the difference between "once at work" and "at work"?

"Once at work" indicates a specific point in time immediately after arrival, whereas "at work" describes a general state of being present in the workplace. "At work" implies a location, while "once at work" implies a transition and a starting point for subsequent actions.