propensity to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "propensity to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a natural inclination or tendency to engage in work or labor. Example: "Her propensity to work long hours has made her one of the most dedicated employees in the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Consistently with recent literature on immigration and task specialization (Cortes and Tessada [13]; D'Amuri and Peri [15]; Peri and Sparber [33]), the complementarity of different working schedules and group heterogeneity in the propensity to work nonstandard shifts might induce a negative effect of immigration on the likelihood of natives working nonstandard hours.2.2

IZA Journal of Migration

But Mr. Aburedwan knew of his propensity to work with his hands.

The New York Times - Arts

He has shown a propensity to work around the strike zone's fringes — to nibble — and work batters into deep counts.

The New York Times - Sports

Belonging to the same racial group increases the propensity to work together by 39.2%, and having a degree from the same school increases it by 34.4%.

Harvard Business Review

Grants and contracts from industry have a significant effect on academic researchers' propensity to work with industry, as measured by an "industrial involvement scale".

Research Policy

This propensity to work is central to why the United States is among the world's wealthiest nations as well as the unrivaled leader in resource depletion, carbon-dioxide emissions and environmental impact.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Keynesians can explain different labor-market experiences by demographic groups to the degree that groups differ in their propensities to work in declining industries, except in this case marital status has very little correlation with industry of employment.

The New York Times

These findings may be explained by partial complementarity between immigrants and natives ‐ in particular, native women ‐ and their different propensities to work nonstandard hour shifts (for instance, D'Amuri and Peri ([15]); Peri and Sparber ([33])).

IZA Journal of Migration

Given that the results above indicate different propensities to work between rural and urban households, as well as between male and female children, the following section explores how remittances affect these groups differently.

IZA Journal of Migration

In addition to examining the propensities to work and to bear children, the standard bivariate probit model presented above enables an analysis of the tradeoffs women face when making fertility and labor supply decisions and how these necessary tradeoffs respond to immigrant inflows.

IZA Journal of Migration

It's tremendous to see him getting the recognition he deserves.' It is also possible to detect a feminine side to his work, and a propensity to play the psychologically challenged.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing broad societal trends, use "propensity to work" to objectively describe the working habits of a population or demographic group. For instance: "Studies show a higher "propensity to work" among immigrants compared to native-born citizens in certain sectors."

Common error

Avoid assuming that a high "propensity to work" automatically translates into plentiful job opportunities. Individuals may have a strong desire to work, but external factors like economic downturns or lack of suitable positions can still impede employment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "propensity to work" functions as a noun phrase describing an inclination or tendency towards engaging in work or labor. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a reliable choice for expressing this concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "propensity to work" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe an inclination or tendency to engage in work, according to Ludwig. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating its versatility across various domains. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, understanding its implications and avoiding common misconceptions, such as confusing it with actual job availability, are crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "inclination to work" or "tendency to work" can provide nuanced variations. Overall, "propensity to work" is a valuable term for discussions on labor force dynamics and socioeconomic trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclination to work

Replaces "propensity" with "inclination", suggesting a leaning or tendency towards working.

tendency to work

Substitutes "propensity" with "tendency", indicating a habitual pattern of working.

penchant for work

Replaces "propensity" with "penchant", indicating a strong liking or fondness for working.

willingness to work

Focuses on the readiness and positive attitude towards working, rather than a natural inclination.

readiness to work

Highlights the state of being prepared and available to work.

eagerness to work

Emphasizes enthusiasm and keenness when it comes to working.

motivation to work

Shifts the focus to the driving force and reasons behind the desire to work.

drive to work

Highlights a strong and forceful ambition to engage in work.

zeal for work

Indicates a passionate and enthusiastic approach to working.

aptitude for work

Emphasizes a natural talent or skill that makes someone suitable for work.

FAQs

How can I use "propensity to work" in a sentence?

You can use "propensity to work" to describe someone's natural inclination or tendency to engage in work, like: "Her high "propensity to work" made her a valuable asset to the team."

What's a good alternative to "propensity to work"?

Alternatives to "propensity to work" include "inclination to work", "tendency to work", or "willingness to work", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "propensity to work" formal or informal?

"Propensity to work" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What factors influence a person's "propensity to work"?

Many factors can affect a person's "propensity to work", including economic conditions, education level, access to childcare, cultural norms, and personal motivation.