to work part time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to work part time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a job or employment situation where someone works fewer hours than a full-time position, typically less than 35-40 hours a week. Example: "After graduating, I decided to work part time while I pursue my studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

They are more likely to work part time.

The New York Times

He will continue to work part time as nonexecutive chairman.

The New York Times

He soon returned to work part time and was able to avoid eviction.

The New York Times

But they are still paid less and are more likely to work part time.

The New York Times

Before leaving the office, Sheilah O'Donnel tried to work part time but felt marginalized.

The New York Times

Neither can the fact that women are more likely to work part time than men.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

They tend to work part-time on one-off projects.

The Economist

In addition, most GPs choose to work part-time.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Most part-time workers don't want to work part-time.

The Guardian - Money

Some have hired waitresses from those restaurants to work part-time as domestic helpers or maids.

The New York Times

She commutes into Leeds three days a week to work part-time for the city's council.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that when using "to work part time" you clearly specify the context (e.g. "to work part time during the summer" or "to work part time while studying") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to work part time" interchangeably with "freelancing" or "contract work". While hours might be similar, the employment structure, benefits, and legal obligations differ significantly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to work part time" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as an adverbial to describe the manner or purpose of an action. As seen in Ludwig, it modifies verbs to specify the nature of employment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to work part time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used infinitive phrase to describe working fewer hours than a full-time position. Ludwig confirms its acceptability across a range of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific publications. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the context and avoiding confusion with other employment types. Its frequency and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for discussing employment arrangements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engage in part-time work

Focuses on the action of participating in part-time employment.

hold a part-time position

Highlights the possession of a part-time job.

be employed part-time

Emphasizes the state of being part-time employee.

take on part-time employment

Suggests actively choosing a part-time role.

work reduced hours

Directly refers to the act of working fewer hours.

work on a part-time basis

Formal way to express working part-time.

have a part-time job

Indicates the existence of a part-time job.

be a part-timer

Uses a noun to describe someone who works part-time.

work fewer than full-time hours

Explicitly states the comparison to full-time work.

undertake part-time duties

Implies taking on specific responsibilities on a part-time schedule.

FAQs

How can I phrase "to work part time" differently?

Consider alternatives like "engage in part-time work", "hold a part-time position", or "work reduced hours" for variety.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to work part time"?

Yes, "to work part time" is grammatically correct. It functions as an infinitive phrase describing the type of work arrangement.

What does it mean "to work part time"?

To "work part time" means to be employed in a position that requires fewer hours per week than a full-time job, typically less than 35-40 hours.

How does "to work part time" compare to "to work full time"?

"To work part time" implies fewer hours and potentially different benefits compared to "to work full time", which signifies a standard work week.