put in a shift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put in a shift" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to describe the act of working hard or putting in effort, often in a job or task. Example: "After a long week, I really put in a shift at the office to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Everyone on that pitch put in a shift.

Independent

Everyone put in a shift and dug deep.

The Guardian - Sport

Here they put in a shift alongside fellow sensory roughage administrator Randomer.

The Guardian - Music

Five months after leaving Reckitt, however, Cousins suddenly has enough time to put in a shift at Tesco.

The Guardian - Business

"Their heads could have dropped after that start, but they put in a shift and were fantastic, I was really pleased with their display".

Independent

The 12 players on each team do most of the legwork, granted, but the galleries occasionally put in a shift too.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Following John Carver's very public shaming of his players last week, it is difficult to imagine them putting in a shift at his behest.

The Guardian - Sport

1.38am BST 32 mins Eddie Johnson buzzing around industriously without getting much joy yet, but he's putting in a shift occupying the Mexican defenders.

The Guardian - Sport

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland) So the big news is that Dirk Kuyt isn't putting in a shift, although I'm sure he'll make himself useful on the bench.

The Guardian - Sport

Patterson said that Odubade was removed from the transfer list because "he's now putting in a shift" every game.

Wikipedia

The 21-year-old intern at Bank of America Merrill Lynch died in his shower from an epileptic seizure after putting in a shift of that length.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put in a shift" when you want to emphasize the effort and hard work someone is doing, especially in a practical or physical context. For example, you could say "The team really put in a shift to get the project done on time."

Common error

Avoid using "put in a shift" in highly formal or academic writing where a more direct and professional term like "worked diligently" or "exerted considerable effort" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put in a shift" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating a period of dedicated work or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe the act of working hard. Examples show its use in describing team efforts and individual contributions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "put in a shift" is a common and acceptable way to describe exerting effort or working hard. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and used across various contexts. While the phrase is most frequently found in news and media, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. When aiming to highlight diligence and dedication, "work diligently" or "exert oneself" may serve as suitable replacements. The phrase's versatility makes it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary, especially when conveying effort in practical situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work diligently

Highlights the consistent and careful application of effort, suitable in more formal contexts.

give it one's all

Emphasizes maximum effort and dedication, suitable when highlighting commitment.

apply oneself

Stresses the focused effort directed towards a specific task, carrying a slightly more formal tone.

exert oneself

Focuses on the act of applying effort, differing in its more general application beyond work.

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations or usual effort, suggesting a higher level of dedication.

make an effort

This is a more generic term for trying hard, which lacks the idiomatic feel of the original phrase.

contribute fully

Highlights the act of providing complete input or effort, suitable in collaborative situations.

pull one's weight

Focuses on contributing a fair share of work, often used in team settings.

do one's part

Similar to pulling one's weight, emphasizing contribution to a collective effort.

perform effectively

This focuses on the outcome of the work, where the original phrase focuses on the effort.

FAQs

What does "put in a shift" mean?

"Put in a shift" means to work hard or exert a significant amount of effort, typically in a job or task. It often implies a dedicated period of work.

How can I use "put in a shift" in a sentence?

You might say, "The volunteers "gave it their all" to clean up the park," or "She "worked diligently" to finish the report before the deadline".

What can I say instead of "put in a shift"?

You can use alternatives like "exert oneself", "work diligently", or "make an effort" depending on the context.

Is "put in a shift" appropriate for formal writing?

While "put in a shift" is widely understood, it's generally more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "applied oneself" or "contributed fully".