taking up work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking up work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of starting or resuming a job or task. Example: "After a long break, I am finally taking up work on my new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Taking up work that you enjoy doing, and making a career out of it is probably the easiest way to lead truly rewarding lives.

Huffington Post

Reduce the financial and administrative barriers to taking up work.

The Guardian

Seventeen-year-old Andrew learnt to play tennis after taking up work as a ballboy in an upmarket club.

The Guardian

"It's not quite like music," said the man in the soccer jersey, who said he trained as a chemist before taking up work in Place Seffarine.

The New York Times - Travel

But such a list must include his biting, something you would want to know if you were taking up work as a dog walker.

The New York Times - Magazine

About the same time, Russians and Poles also settled in Scotland, taking up work in the mines and in the tailoring and catering trades.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Create greater incentives to take up work.

The Guardian

He later came back, but took up work as a welder.

Independent

He quit and took up work ironing pants for about 200 rupees a day, or $2.50.

The New York Times

More than 1,220 Loughborough students took up work placements last year – around 400 of them engineering students.

The Guardian

Parents need childcare in order for them to take up work and study.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's career change, use "taking up work as a/an [new profession]" to clearly indicate the shift. For example: "After years in finance, she is now taking up work as a teacher."

Common error

Be precise when using "taking up work". Ensure it's clear you mean starting a job, not simply a hobby or short-term project. Add clarifying details to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking up work" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the action of starting or engaging in employment. Examples provided by Ludwig show its use in various contexts, from individual career choices to broader economic trends.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taking up work" functions as a gerund phrase that describes starting or engaging in employment or a specific task. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. While the phrase has a neutral register, using clarifying details ensures precision and avoids ambiguity. For alternative expressions in formal or resume-related writing, it's better to use "commencing employment" or "secured a position" respectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting employment

Focuses on the commencement of a formal job.

beginning a career

Emphasizes the start of a long-term professional path.

commencing work

A more formal way of saying starting work.

embarking on a job

Implies a more adventurous or significant undertaking of work.

accepting a position

Highlights the act of agreeing to and starting a specific job.

entering the workforce

Refers to the broader transition into employment.

getting a job

A more informal and general way to describe finding employment.

finding employment

Focuses on the act of successfully securing a job.

securing work

Emphasizes the effort and achievement in obtaining employment.

engaging in labor

A more formal and abstract way of referring to working.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "taking up work" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "commencing employment" or "assuming a position", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "taking up work" and "starting a job"?

"Taking up work" generally implies starting or resuming employment or a task, while "starting a job" specifically refers to beginning a new employment position. The former has a broader application. You may also want to consider using "beginning a career".

Is "taking up work" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "taking up work" is acceptable for academic writing, especially when describing someone's entry into a particular field or their engagement with specific tasks. For extra clarity, include additional information.

What are some alternatives to "taking up work" for a resume?

On a resume, instead of "taking up work", use stronger action verbs like "secured a position", "initiated employment", or "assumed responsibilities" to highlight your achievements and roles effectively.