ready for work

USAGE SUMMARY

"ready for work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a person who is prepared to start work. For example, "Sarah arrived at the office bright and early, ready for work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

— as he gets ready for work.

The New York Times

Getting people ready for work takes time.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the stone has dried, it is ready for work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He woke up and got ready for work.

Independent

Had to be ready for work on Monday.

The New York Times

Then it is time to get ready for work.

The Guardian

LOS ANGELES — She was showered, dressed and ready for work.

The New York Times - Sports

If it suits me I'm ready for work.

The Guardian - Arts

Gianna came downstairs to get ready for work.

The New York Times - Sports

Already, businesses are getting people trained and ready for work.

The Guardian

READY FOR WORK I've thrown some CDs into a bag already.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ready for work" to clearly convey that someone or something is fully prepared and available to begin working or operating. For example, "After completing the training, the new employees were ready for work."

Common error

Avoid replacing "for" with other prepositions like "to" or omitting it entirely. Saying "ready work" or "ready to work" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts where you want to convey preparedness for starting a job or task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready for work" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of preparedness or suitability for performing work. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ready for work" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate preparedness and availability for work. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples show it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general conversation. While synonyms like "prepared to work" or "available for work" exist, "ready for work" offers a straightforward and widely understood way to convey this meaning. Remember to use the correct preposition "for" to avoid grammatical errors. Therefore, using "ready for work" is a succinct and effective way to express being in a state to commence work-related activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepared to work

Focuses on the state of being prepared, a slightly more formal tone than "ready".

available for work

Emphasizes availability and willingness to start working.

set to work

Highlights the initiation or beginning of work.

eager to work

Highlights enthusiasm and willingness to begin work.

all set for work

Indicates a state of complete preparation.

geared up for work

Suggests a more active preparation, often involving gathering equipment or resources.

in a working condition

Focuses on the functional state required to perform job-related duties, implying everything is in order and operational.

fit for employment

Describes someone who meets the necessary qualifications to gain employment.

trained for the job

Indicates a state of readiness based on acquired training and skills for job responsibilities.

equipped for labor

Suggests resources and training are present to perform the work itself.

FAQs

How can I use "ready for work" in a sentence?

You can use "ready for work" to describe a person who is prepared to start working or a piece of equipment that is in good working order. For example, "She arrived early, "ready for work"", or "The machine is now "ready for work" after the repairs".

What are some alternatives to "ready for work"?

Alternatives include "prepared to work", "available for work", or "eager to work", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "ready to work" instead of "ready for work"?

While "ready to work" might be understood in some contexts, "ready for work" is generally considered more grammatically correct and widely accepted when referring to being prepared for employment or a task.

What does it mean to be "fit for employment" compared to being "ready for work"?

"Fit for employment" implies that someone meets the necessary qualifications and requirements for a job, whereas "ready for work" simply means they are prepared and available to begin working. "Fit for employment" suggests suitability, while "ready for work" focuses on immediate preparedness.