start work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about beginning an activity or job. Example: I am going to start work on my project this afternoon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's start work".

The Economist

I'll start work.

The New York Times

I start work.

The Guardian - Books

I'm ready to start work".

The New York Times

Start work straight after school.

The Guardian - Opinion

She was about to start work.

The New York Times - Tech

Anti-corruption commissioners will start work soon.

The Economist

The panel will start work in June.

The Economist

"I may start work on the sequel.

The New Yorker

They start work as early as 5.

The New York Times

It hopes to start work in 2016.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym for "start work". For example, use "begin working" in formal reports and "get started" in casual conversations.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear what type of "work" is being started. Provide specific details to avoid vagueness and improve clarity for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start work" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of an activity. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing it is frequently employed to denote the beginning of a task or employment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the commencement of a task or job, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as a verbal phrase with a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of contexts. While synonyms like "begin working" or "get started" offer alternatives, "start work" remains a clear and direct choice. Remember to provide specific details about the work being started to avoid ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its ubiquitous presence across news, media, and other sources makes it a reliable choice for expressing the initiation of activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin working

Replaces "start" with "begin" offering a slightly more formal tone.

get started

A more casual and general way to say "begin" without specifying work.

commence duties

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate the start of professional responsibilities.

get underway

Implies the beginning of a process or activity.

get down to business

An idiomatic expression that emphasizes the act of beginning serious work.

initiate the project

Suggests a formal start to a defined project.

embark on the task

Emphasizes the beginning of a specific task, often one that is challenging.

set about working

Focuses on the manner of beginning work, implying intention and focus.

kick off operations

Often used in a business context to describe the start of a series of actions.

take up employment

Describes beginning a job or position.

FAQs

How can I use "start work" in a sentence?

You can use "start work" to indicate the beginning of a job, task, or project. For example, "I will start work on the report tomorrow" or "The construction crew will start work next week".

What are some alternatives to "start work"?

Alternatives to "start work" include "begin working", "get started", or "commence duties", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "start to work" instead of "start work"?

While "start to work" is grammatically correct, "start work" is more concise and commonly used. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and flow of the sentence.

What is the difference between "start work" and "begin work"?

"Start work" and "begin work" are largely interchangeable, with "begin work" sounding slightly more formal. Both refer to the commencement of a task or job.