starting work on

USAGE SUMMARY

"starting work on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to discuss beginning a project or task. For example, "I'm starting work on my presentation tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Meanwhile, says Desmarest, no one is starting work on Iraq's new oilfields before there's a stable government that can sign contracts.

Forbes

It said there was "no question" of the famous structures not being replaced and it would rebuild one chimney first before starting work on the three others.

BBC

There, he was chief designer for the new Ford Fiesta before starting work on the Fusion.

The New York Times

Mr. Gunton is now starting work on a series about Africa.

The New York Times - Arts

I heard about YAP back in 2009, when I was just starting work on my book.

The New York Times

Which architect visited St. Peter's before starting work on his biggest commission?

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Lopez was hopeful that he would soon be starting work on a highway crew.

The New York Times

Mr. Redford was starting work on another project on Watergate, this time as a documentarian.

The New York Times

NASA says it is starting work on carrying out some of the recommendations.

The New York Times

Mr. Sandrich was just starting work on a new series that would star Bill Cosby.

The New York Times

Five weeks after starting work on the paper, I collapsed and ended up in hospital.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "starting work on" when you want to clearly indicate the commencement of a task or project. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing seem less direct. Instead of saying, "Work is being started on the project," use the active voice: "We are "starting work on" the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting work on" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement or initiation of a task, project, or activity. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse scenarios, from construction projects to creative endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "starting work on" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the commencement of a task or project. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for both formal and informal settings, with a neutral register. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its frequent use in News & Media contexts, followed by Science. To avoid monotony, alternatives like "beginning to work on" or "commencing work on" can be employed. When using "starting work on", ensure clarity and avoid overusing passive voice for a more direct writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning to work on

Replaces "starting" with "beginning", emphasizing the initial phase of working on something.

commencing work on

Uses a more formal verb, "commencing", to denote the start of work.

initiating work on

Similar to "commencing", but with a slightly different nuance of setting something in motion.

embarking on work on

Implies a more significant undertaking or journey into the work.

launching into work on

Conveys a sense of energetic or rapid start to the work.

getting started on

A more casual and informal way to express the beginning of work.

taking up work on

Suggests accepting or assuming responsibility for starting the work.

setting about working on

Emphasizes the approach and method of starting the work.

diving into work on

Implies an immersive and enthusiastic start to the work.

getting underway with work on

Indicates that the work is officially beginning and progressing.

FAQs

How can I use "starting work on" in a sentence?

You can use "starting work on" to describe the beginning of a task or project. For example, "She is "starting work on" her new novel next week."

What are some alternatives to "starting work on"?

Alternatives include "beginning to work on", "commencing work on", or "initiating work on" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "start working on" or "starting work on"?

Both "start working on" and "starting work on" are grammatically correct. "Start working on" emphasizes the action of working, while "starting work on" emphasizes the beginning of the work itself. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "starting work on" and "working on"?

"Starting work on" indicates the initial phase of a task, while "working on" implies an ongoing process. You use "starting work on" when the task is just beginning, and "working on" when it's already in progress.