still working

USAGE SUMMARY

"still working" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something or someone is continuing to work without interruption or that something is currently in the process of being worked on. Example: "Despite the pandemic, the construction workers are still working on the new building project." In this sentence, "still working" indicates that the construction workers have not stopped working on the building project, even during the pandemic. Another example: "I'm sorry, I can't meet you for lunch today, I'm still working on my presentation for the meeting tomorrow." In this sentence, "still working" suggests that the speaker is currently in the process of completing their presentation and therefore cannot take a break for lunch.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Academia

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still working?

The New Yorker

He's still working hard.

The New York Times - Sports

He's still working".

The New Yorker

And he's still working.

The New York Times - Arts

So I'm still working.

The New York Times

"I'm still working at that".

The New Yorker

But it was still working".

The New York Times - Sports

My memory is still working".

The New Yorker

"We're still working on that".

The New Yorker

They're still working there, though".

The New York Times

She is still working away.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still working" to emphasize the continuation of effort, especially when there's an expectation or possibility that the effort might have ceased.

Common error

Avoid using "still working" in overly passive sentences where the active agent is unclear. Instead of "The problem is still being worked on", specify who is doing the work: "The engineers are still working on the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still working" functions as a verbal phrase, combining an adverb of time ("still") with the present participle of the verb "work". As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates a continuing action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Sports

10%

Arts

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "still working" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the continuation of an activity or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, with primary usage in news and media. To enhance your writing, be mindful of using active voice and avoiding overly passive constructions, and in general it is not suitable for formal contexts. While many alternatives exist, such as "actively engaged" or "currently employed", the choice depends heavily on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still functioning

Focuses on continued performance or operation, often for machines or systems.

currently employed

Focuses specifically on current job status, omitting the sense of continuous effort.

actively engaged

Highlights involvement in an activity, differing from the specific context of work.

presently laboring

Replaces "working" with a more formal term, intensifying the sense of effort.

continuing operations

Refers to the ongoing state of a business or system, not necessarily individual labor.

is yet operational

Emphasizes the ongoing state of being able to work or operate.

keeps on task

Implies continuous effort on a specific assignment and is less formal than "still working".

remains functional

Emphasizes that something continues to operate, lacking the human effort aspect.

yet in service

Highlights that something is still being used or is available but shifts emphasis.

diligently pursuing

Highlights dedication and ongoing effort toward achieving a goal, not limited to employment.

FAQs

How can I use "still working" in a sentence?

You can use "still working" to indicate that someone or something continues to be engaged in work or activity. For example, "He is "still working" on the project" or "The old computer is "still working", despite its age".

What can I say instead of "still working"?

Alternatives include "actively engaged", "currently employed", or "continuing operations", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "still working on it"?

Yes, "still working on it" is a correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that you are in the process of completing a task or project. It suggests ongoing effort and progress.

What's the difference between "still working" and "currently working"?

"Still working" implies that the work has been ongoing and continues, while "currently working" simply states the present state of being employed or engaged in work, without necessarily implying a continuous effort. The first suggests persistence, while the second simply identifies a present activity.