returns to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "returns to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone resuming their job or duties after a break or absence. Example: "After a long vacation, she returns to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

P11 Beverley Callard returns to work on Coronation Street.

The Guardian

Barry Bonds returns to work: knocking baseballs out of ballparks.

The New York Times - Sports

A breezy Haitian R.N. named Josette sits down and Nadine returns to work.

The New Yorker

When the Senate returns to work next week, it should confirm him immediately.

The New York Times

She returns to work for a few hours in the afternoon.

The Guardian - Books

It will probably be several weeks before he returns to work, officials said.

The New York Times

Thursday 1 November: Gerry McCann returns to work, almost six months after his daughter went missing.

The Guardian

Congress returns to work this week with a heavy schedule of big issues to confront.

The New York Times

Mr. Shirvell, will face a disciplinary hearing when he returns to work, a spokesman for the attorney general said Friday.

The New York Times

MPs will be invited to condemn FIFA president Sepp Blatter when Parliament returns to work on Monday.

Independent

Parliament is due to debate legislation when it returns to work in October, after the summer break.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing when choosing between "returns to work" and more informal alternatives like "goes back to work".

Common error

While often neutral, "returns to work" can sometimes carry negative connotations if the reason for absence was traumatic or the work environment is undesirable. Consider the overall tone and potential implications for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returns to work" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, indicating the resumption of employment or duties. As shown in Ludwig, it appears in various contexts to describe someone going back to their job after an absence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

26%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "returns to work" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone resuming their employment after an absence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness across various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as in scientific publications, and has a neutral tone. When using this phrase, it's essential to consider the context and choose appropriate alternatives like "resumes work" or "goes back to work" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resumes work

Indicates a formal continuation of employment duties after an interruption.

goes back to work

A more informal way of saying someone is starting work again.

restarts employment

Emphasizes the recommencement of a formal employment arrangement.

rejoins the workforce

Highlights the act of re-entering the pool of employed individuals.

is back on the job

An idiomatic expression indicating a return to one's work responsibilities.

re-enters employment

Focuses on the action of entering an employment state again.

resumes duties

Highlights the continuation of specific tasks and responsibilities.

recommences professional activity

A formal way to describe the restart of work-related endeavors.

gets back into harness

An idiomatic phrase suggesting a return to the routine and demands of work.

starts working again

A straightforward and clear way of stating the resumption of work.

FAQs

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

You can use "returns to work" to indicate someone is resuming their job or duties after a break or absence. For example, "After a long vacation, she "returns to work" feeling refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges."

What are some alternatives to "returns to work"?

Some alternatives include "resumes work", "goes back to work", or "rejoins the workforce", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "returns to work" formal or informal?

"Returns to work" is generally considered neutral in tone. The formality depends on the surrounding language and context. More formal alternatives like "recommences professional activity" might be more suitable for formal writing.

What does "returns to work" imply?

"Returns to work" implies that an individual had previously stopped working for some reason, whether due to illness, vacation, leave, or other circumstances, and is now resuming their job or duties.