to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, typically to indicate the action of performing a task or job. Example: "I need to work on my presentation for tomorrow's meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To work?

The New Yorker

Mudar returned to work.

The New York Times

"They wanted to work".

The New York Times

Many need to work.

The New York Times

Time to work!

The New Yorker

She wanted to work.

The New York Times

It's going to work".

The New York Times - Arts

I start to work.

The New Yorker

He walked to work.

The New York Times

"He loved to work".

The New York Times - Sports

That's got to work.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to work" when you want to describe the general action of performing a job or task. It's versatile and widely understood.

Common error

In highly formal or academic writing, avoid overusing "to work". Consider using more precise verbs or phrases that specify the nature of the work being done, such as "to conduct research", "to implement a strategy", or "to analyze data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to work" primarily functions as an infinitive, often used to express purpose or intention. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. As infinitive it can act as a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to work" is a grammatically sound and versatile infinitive phrase, widely used across diverse contexts as verified by Ludwig AI. It typically expresses the purpose or intention of performing a task or being employed. While suitable for general use, more precise alternatives may be preferred in formal writing. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources and general content, such as wikis, making it a common and easily understood phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be employed

Focuses on the state of having a job.

to be on the job

Emphasizes being present and active at work.

to perform duties

Emphasizes the action of carrying out assigned tasks.

to be productive

Focuses on achieving results through work.

to labor

Highlights the physical effort involved in working.

to earn a living

Highlights the financial aspect of working.

to apply oneself

Focuses on dedicating effort and focus to a task or job.

to exert oneself

Stresses the effort and energy put into working.

to ply one's trade

Refers to practicing a specific profession or skill.

to engage in activity

A more general way of referring to being engaged in some form of work.

FAQs

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

You can use "to work" in various contexts, such as "I need "to work" on my presentation" or "He went "to work" on the car".

What are some alternatives to using "to work"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to be employed", "to perform duties", or "to labor".

Which is correct: "going to work" or "going to the work"?

"Going "to work"" is correct. The definite article "the" is not typically used before "work" in this context.

What's the difference between "to work" and "to function"?

"To work" generally refers to performing a task or job, while "to function" implies operating or performing as intended. For example, "The machine needs "to work" properly" versus "The machine needs "to function" properly".