put him to work

USAGE SUMMARY

'put him to work' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you need to refer to getting someone to start doing a task. For example: "The boss realized the new employee had a lot of potential, so he decided to put him to work right away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The show came to the attention of executives at CBS, who put him to work producing cultural programs with Gilbert Seldes, including "Americans at Work" and "Living History".

The New York Times - Arts

Your purpose was to put him to work.

The Guardian

Instead of turning him in, the trapper he was poaching from put him to work.

The New York Times - Magazine

To put him to work on a science-theme play — with a commission.

The New York Times

Zanuck put him to work as an apprentice, then gave him some B movies to direct.

The New Yorker

Lewis's father soon put him to work as a salesman at his used-car dealership.

The New York Times - Sports

Elser had rescued him from a date with the cannery and put him to work.

The New Yorker

The stepfather, Oswald Leitert, put him to work as a boy in the family contracting business.

The New York Times

Mr. Wiener had been rescued when Oskar Schindler put him to work in his factory.

The New York Times

Back in Mexico, Oregón's grandparents put him to work tending their livestock.

The New Yorker

"But instead, we put him to work, mucking out stalls, pulling the manure cart.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the situation. While "put him to work" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "employ his services" or "assign him tasks".

Common error

Avoid using "put him to work" without clarifying the expected duties. Failing to provide clear instructions or a defined scope can lead to inefficiency and frustration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put him to work" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the action of assigning someone a job, task, or responsibility. It's a common way to describe the commencement of someone's duties, as Ludwig examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put him to work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiomatic expression that signifies assigning someone a task or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it carries a neutral register, making it widely applicable. While generally acceptable, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding the scope of work to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "assign him tasks" or "employ his services" can be considered for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set him to work

Similar to the original, but with a slightly different emphasis on the initiation of work.

give him a job

A simple and direct way to express assigning employment or a specific task.

assign him tasks

This alternative focuses on the act of giving specific duties or jobs.

task him with

Focuses on the specific responsibility or duty being assigned.

employ his services

This is a more formal way of saying "put him to work", emphasizing the hiring or engagement of someone.

have him take on

Focuses on the acceptance or assumption of a responsibility.

enlist his efforts

This suggests a more collaborative or voluntary engagement in a task.

engage his expertise

This suggests utilizing someone's specialized knowledge or skills.

get him involved

This suggests integrating someone into an activity or project.

make use of him

This suggests utilizing someone for a specific purpose or benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "put him to work" in a sentence?

You can use "put him to work" to describe assigning someone a task or responsibility. For example, "The manager decided to "put him to work" on the new project".

What are some alternatives to "put him to work"?

Some alternatives include "assign him tasks", "employ his services", or "give him a job", depending on the context.

Is "put him to work" formal or informal?

"Put him to work" is generally considered neutral and can be used in many contexts. However, for more formal situations, phrases like "employ his services" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "put him to work" and "set him to work"?

While similar, "put him to work" implies assigning a general task, whereas "set him to work" often suggests initiating a specific activity. They are largely interchangeable.