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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

she's not working

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Brownstein is currently single, and when she's not working she's walking her dogs and seeing friends – recently she posted a picture of herself with Kim Gordon, Amy Poehler and singer Aimee Mann with the caption: "Don't call us a squad.

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News & Media

The Guardian

He went on, "She creates this illusion she's not working at all, but underneath the water she's working harder than any director I've dealt with".

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News & Media

The New Yorker

Edgier types such as Kate Moss have long harnessed rock'n'roll dishevelment to great effect, but even nation's sweetheart Cat Deeley, star of Pantene's latest haircare range no less, confesses that when she's not working she doesn't bother washing her hair.

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News & Media

Independent

When she's not working on a ginormous gown, work at Celli's studio can involve anything from bedazzling baby shoes (heels included) and pacifiers to pots and pans and the occasional ceiling fan.

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News & Media

Huffington Post

And she's not working on any single problem.

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News & Media

The Washington Post

She's not working on any projects, so nothing gets disrupted".

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News & Media

The New York Times - Health

She's not working as hard, or as effectively, to get the ball.

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News & Media

The New York Times

"She's not working and has raised six of us by herself".

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News & Media

The New York Times

She goes out pretty much every night she's not working, to plays, movies, concerts, and lectures.

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News & Media

The New Yorker

When she's not working, Newton "nourishes her soul" with personal projects.

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News & Media

Independent
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As you sit, pay attention to your horse's behavior to see what she's like when she is not working for you.

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Wiki

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using the uncontracted version "she is not working" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "she's not working" to mean she is incapable of labor if you actually mean she is just taking a break. For mechanical subjects, ensure you do not use personified verbs that imply intent unless for stylistic effect.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she's not working" serves as a negative predicate in the present continuous tense. It utilizes the contraction of the subject 'she' and the auxiliary verb 'is', followed by the negation 'not' and the present participle 'working'. In Ludwig, this structure is frequently observed as a status marker.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

A comprehensive review of Ludwig examples shows that "she's not working" is a highly versatile and grammatically sound phrase. It is used across 59 high-quality instances to describe everything from personal career status to the mechanical state of objects. The phrase is especially prominent in top-tier journalism like The New York Times and The Guardian. While the contraction makes it lean toward a neutral or informal tone, it remains a standard and acceptable way to communicate a lack of current activity. Ludwig AI indicates that whether you are referring to a person's leisure time or a machine's failure, this construction is clear, effective and widely understood in modern English.

FAQs

How to use "she's not working" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe employment status or current activity, such as "She is a stay-at-home parent, so <a href="/s/she's+not+working" target="_blank" rel="alternative">she's not working right now."

What can I say instead of "she's not working"?

Depending on context, you could say "<a href="/s/she+is+off+duty" target="_blank" rel="alternative">she is off duty", "<a href="/s/she+is+unemployed" target="_blank" rel="alternative">she is unemployed" or "<a href="/s/she+is+not+functioning" target="_blank" rel="alternative">she is not functioning".

Is it better to say "she's not working" or "she isn't working"?

Both are grammatically correct and interchangeable. "<a href="/s/she+isn't+working" target="_blank" rel="alternative">she isn't working" is sometimes preferred in spoken English for its flow, but both are very common in Ludwig.

Can "she's not working" be used for a machine?

Yes, it is common to personify machines or vehicles. For example, "My car has a dead battery, so <a href="/s/she's+not+working" target="_blank" rel="alternative">she's not working today."

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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