sent to work

USAGE SUMMARY

"sent to work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone being ordered to go to work, either for employment or doing a specific task. For example, "She was sent to work on the new project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Instead, in 1809 he was sent to work in Moscow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The young and the able-bodied were sent to work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As punishment, he said, he was sent to work in a coal mine.

The New York Times

He was unexpectedly sent to work in the provinces, for which he could give no reason.

The New Yorker

Gay men were rounded up, sent to work camps and sidelined from society.

The New York Times

Sarah was sent to work as a lady's maid at Guy's Cliff in Warwickshire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Further shootings involve British "mentoring units" sent to work with Afghan police and soldiers.

The Guardian

One told a story of a Sudanese man sent to work in an aged care facility.

The Guardian

Brought home by the police, she was sent to work in a factory.

The Guardian

While boys are sent to work, many girls described startling levels of isolation and loneliness.

The Guardian

Their defeated opponents were sent to work out their issues in the Libyan salt mines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sent to work", ensure the context clearly indicates who is sending and what type of work is involved to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whether it's a punishment, a job assignment, or a general instruction.

Common error

Avoid using "sent to work" in overly passive constructions where the actor doing the sending is unclear. Clarify who initiated the action for better clarity and impact. Example: Instead of "The project was sent to work", specify "The manager sent the project to work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sent to work" functions as a passive verb phrase, describing the action of someone or something being directed or compelled to perform a task. Ludwig's examples show it used in both literal contexts (being physically sent to a job) and figurative contexts (being assigned a project). The usage emphasizes the involuntary nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sent to work" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something is being directed or compelled to perform a task. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is grammatically correct and frequently found across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While the phrase itself is generally neutral, the formality of its use is contingent upon surrounding language. When using "sent to work", ensure clarity regarding who or what is sending and the nature of the work to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "assigned to labor" or "directed to employment" based on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assigned to labor

Focuses on the act of assigning someone specifically to labor, often manual labor.

directed to employment

Highlights the directive nature of being sent to a job or employment position.

mandated to a job

Emphasizes the mandatory aspect of the job assignment.

ordered to service

Suggests a formal command to fulfill a service-related role.

dispatched for duty

Implies a sending-off for a specific duty or task, often in a professional setting.

stationed for task

Highlights the act of placing someone in a specific location to perform a task.

relegated to assignment

Suggests a demotion or unwanted placement into a particular assignment.

detailed for work

Implies a formal designation for a specific work assignment.

tasked to labor

Highlights the act of giving someone a task that involves labor.

made to toil

Emphasizes the act of forcing someone to work hard or laboriously.

FAQs

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

You can use "sent to work" to describe someone being directed or forced to do a job or task. For example, "After the argument, he was sent to work in the garden as punishment."

What are some alternatives to "sent to work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "assigned to labor", "directed to employment", or "tasked to labor".

Is "sent to work" formal or informal?

"Sent to work" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and the surrounding language. It's generally neutral but can lean towards formal when describing official assignments.

What's the difference between "sent to work" and "assigned to work"?

While similar, "sent to work" often implies a degree of compulsion or direction from an external source. "Assigned to work" is a broader term that simply indicates a task has been given to someone. For example, being "assigned to labor" may not have the negative connotation sometimes implied with "sent to work".