show up for work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show up for work" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it if you are talking about someone arriving at their place of work or job. Example: It is important to always show up for work on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, they show up for work.

The New York Times

They can show up for work, ready for bed.

The New York Times

Unpaid staff are reluctant to show up for work.

The Economist

And all he did was show up for work".

The New Yorker

The rest of us just show up for work".

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Bulaevsky did not show up for work on Monday.

The New York Times

Teachers often fail to show up for work.

The Economist

Mr. Espejo just happened to show up for work.

The New York Times

Its schools crumbled; teachers did not show up for work.

The New York Times

The next day he did not show up for work.

The New York Times

The day-shift staff did not show up for work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using the phrase in contexts where reliability and dependability are being emphasized.

Common error

Avoid using "show up for work" as a substitute for actual job performance. While attendance is essential, make sure to address the quality and effectiveness of the work itself when discussing employee contributions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show up for work" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of arriving or being present at one's workplace. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "show up for work" is a common and grammatically correct expression indicating the act of arriving at or being present at one's workplace. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage. Primarily found in news and media, with notable presence in formal and business contexts, its function revolves around expressing expectations or actions related to job attendance. While seemingly straightforward, using it effectively involves ensuring that it isn't mistaken for actual job performance and considering alternatives like "report to work" or "attend work" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

report to work

Emphasizes the act of formally presenting oneself at the workplace.

attend work

Highlights the physical presence at the job location.

be present at work

Focuses on the state of being physically available during working hours.

arrive at work

Stresses the action of reaching the workplace.

get to work

Implies the start of the workday or the journey to the workplace.

clock in

Highlights the action of registering one's arrival for work.

punch in

Similar to 'clock in', emphasizing the act of using a time clock.

start working

Focuses on the commencement of work activities.

begin duties

Emphasizes the initiation of one's responsibilities and tasks.

commence employment

A more formal way of saying the beginning of work activities.

FAQs

How can I use "show up for work" in a sentence?

You can use "show up for work" to indicate attendance or presence at a job. For example, "It's important to "show up for work" on time" or "Employees are expected to "show up for work" regularly".

What is an alternative to "show up for work"?

Alternatives include "report to work", "attend work", or "be present at work". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "show up for work" or "show up at work"?

"Show up for work" is generally preferred when referring to the general act of attending work. "Show up at work" could be used when referring to a specific location or event within the workplace, but "show up for work" is the idiomatically correct choice for general attendance.

What does it mean when someone "doesn't show up for work"?

It means the person is absent from their scheduled work without a valid reason or notification. This can lead to disciplinary action or termination, depending on the company's policies and the frequency of the absences.