start work early

USAGE SUMMARY

"start work early" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to begin one's work duties ahead of the usual or planned time. For example: "I always try to start work early on Fridays so I can leave early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I like to start work early, but I'm no good at writing in the evenings.

The Guardian - Books

Continue to start work early and most people will still lose far too much sleep.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many start work early and skip lunch to get home for school runs or second jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anyone who needs to start work early, stay late, or go someplace different is out of luck.

Stanford University

She resented him always being tired, but working at the stock exchange required him to start work early in the morning.

The New York Times

For those looking to start work early on their Christmas list, we've compiled a list of 30 titles which will be released before then - and the dates they'll be hitting the shelves.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I asked her why she didn't start work earlier in the day.

The New Yorker

The French approach is to require a minimum number of years of contributions for qualification for the state pension; thus those who start work earlier can retire earlier.

The Economist

Many working parents concerned about leaving young children and teenagers home alone and unsupervised in the afternoons were taking advantage of the chance to start work earlier so that they could go home earlier, she said.

The New York Times

"A few of them start working early to support their families.

The New York Times

"I used to start working early in the morning," when the homeless were calmer, but the temperatures were lower.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning a project, use "start work early" to emphasize the importance of beginning tasks ahead of time to mitigate potential setbacks.

Common error

Avoid using "start work early" without clarifying what specific task or project is being started. Ensure clarity by mentioning the task directly after the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start work early" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of work activities before the customary or scheduled time. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start work early" is a grammatically correct and usable expression meaning to begin work before the usual time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and academic sources. It's generally neutral in register, fitting various contexts from casual to professional. To enhance clarity, avoid using it without specifying the task or project being started. Related phrases include ""get an early start on work"" and "begin working ahead of schedule", offering alternative ways to convey the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get an early start on work

Stresses the advantage of beginning work early.

start the workday sooner

Emphasizes beginning the workday before the usual time.

tackle work earlier than usual

Indicates starting work prior to the accustomed time.

start earlier than scheduled

Refers to commencing work before the predetermined time.

begin working ahead of schedule

Emphasizes completing tasks sooner than expected.

commence work beforehand

Highlights initiating work before a specific event or deadline.

initiate work in advance

Focuses on beginning work before it is strictly necessary.

start working in advance of the deadline

Highlights starting work well before the due date.

begin laboring before the normal hour

Focuses on the specific time of beginning work before the standard.

get going on work at the crack of dawn

Suggests starting work at the earliest part of the morning.

FAQs

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

You can use "start work early" to describe beginning tasks ahead of the usual time. For instance, "I like to "get an early start on work" to avoid distractions later in the day."

What does it mean to "start work early"?

"Start work early" means to begin one's work or tasks before the normally scheduled time. It often implies a proactive approach to managing workload and deadlines.

Which is correct, "start work early" or "start working early"?

Both "start work early" and "start working early" are correct, though the former is slightly more concise. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What are some advantages of "starting work early"?

"Starting work early" can lead to increased productivity, reduced stress, and more time for unexpected issues or tasks that may arise throughout the day. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment and control over one's workload.