started work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "started work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the beginning of a job or employment. For example: "Lara started work at the law firm last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I started work in property.

Independent

We started work.

The Guardian

I started work at 11pm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Anna Marie started work the next day.

The New York Times - Travel

He started work on Feb. 4th.

The New Yorker

He started work there on June 11.

The New York Times

Hence Esperanto.He started work on it early.

The New Yorker

He started work at Gabreski this month.

The New York Times

He has started work on another drama.

The Guardian

They started work in March of 2009.

The New Yorker

I started work in mid-March.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add specificity, follow "started work" with a prepositional phrase indicating the place or time, such as "started work in the city" or "started work last year".

Common error

Ensure clarity by including necessary context when using "started work". Avoid leaving the reader wondering about the type or location of the work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started work" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of employment or a specific task. Ludwig examples show its wide applicability in various professional and personal contexts, ranging from starting a job to beginning a creative project.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started work" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase commonly used to indicate the commencement of employment or a project. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's frequency is very common, particularly in News & Media, with a neutral register making it suitable for a range of contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing specific details about the work being initiated. Consider alternatives like "began employment" for a more formal tone. "Started work" is clear and concise, making it a reliable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began employment

A more formal way of saying someone started a job.

commenced working

A formal alternative, often used in official contexts.

took up a position

Implies accepting and beginning a specific role.

assumed duties

Focuses on the responsibilities undertaken at the start of a job.

embarked on a career

Suggests a long-term commitment to a particular profession.

initiated tasks

Highlights the beginning of specific work-related activities.

set about the job

Emphasizes the action of starting a particular task.

entered service

A more formal term, often used in military or public sector contexts.

launched into practice

Suggests the start of professional work, especially in fields like law or medicine.

signed on

An informal way to say someone officially started a job, particularly in maritime or temporary work.

FAQs

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

You can use "started work" to indicate the beginning of employment or a project, as in "She "started work" at the new company last month" or "He "started work" on the novel after retiring".

What's a more formal alternative to "started work"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "began employment", "commenced working", or "took up a position depending on the context.

Is "started work" the same as "started working"?

While similar, "started work" typically refers to the commencement of a job or project, whereas "started working" emphasizes the action of engaging in work. Both are generally interchangeable, but subtle differences in emphasis may exist.

Can I use "started work" to describe the beginning of a hobby?

While less common, you can use "started work" to describe the beginning of a serious hobby or craft, especially if it involves effort and dedication, similar to a job. For less intense hobbies, it's better to use "took up" or "began".