the office

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the office" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a physical workplace or a specific department within an organization. Example: "I will be working late at the office to finish the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— The office?

The New Yorker

Not in the office.

Independent

The office tantrums.

The New York Times

The office is big.

The Guardian - Arts

Back to the office.

The New Yorker

"The office cat knew".

The New York Times

To the office, then.

The New Yorker

The office called.

The New Yorker

The office was liquidated.

The New Yorker

Describes the office.

The New Yorker

The office door opens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the office" when referring to a specific workplace, especially in contexts where familiarity is implied or established. For instance, "I'm heading to the office now" is suitable for everyday conversation.

Common error

Avoid capitalizing "office" unless it's part of a formal title (e.g., Office of the President) or the name of a specific business or department. For general references to a workplace, keep it lowercase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the office" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It denotes a specific place of employment or a department within an organization, as seen in Ludwig's examples such as, "The office is big" and "I had left the office."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the office" is a common and versatile phrase referring to a place of work, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase and is used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to avoid capitalizing "office" unless it's part of a formal name. Ludwig also provides numerous examples illustrating its wide applicability, confirming its correct and frequent usage in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

workplace

Refers to the physical location where work is conducted; more general than "the office".

place of work

Similar to "workplace", emphasizing the location of employment.

work environment

Emphasizes the atmosphere and conditions of the workspace.

company premises

Focuses on the entire property owned or leased by the company.

the firm

Emphasizes the company itself, rather than the physical location.

business location

Highlights the commercial aspect of the place.

job location

Highlights the specific site of employment tasks.

the agency

Suitable when referring to a government or specialized organization's office.

corporate headquarters

Refers specifically to the main office of a corporation.

business address

Focuses on the formal address of the company.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "the office"?

You can use alternatives like "workplace", "place of work", or "business location" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I'm going to the office"?

Yes, it is correct. "The office" is commonly used to refer to a place of work. However, ensure the context is clear to the listener or reader.

When should I capitalize "office"?

Capitalize "Office" when it's part of a formal name or title, such as "Office of the President" or a specific department name. Otherwise, use lowercase for general references.

What's the difference between "office" and "workplace"?

"Office" typically refers to a room or building used for administrative work. "Workplace" is a broader term encompassing any location where work is performed, including offices, factories, and outdoor sites.