turned up for work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turned up for work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone arriving to their job or workplace. For example: "John always arrived on time and had never missed a shift; he always turned up for work and took his duties seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

He just turned up for work.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nobody had turned up for work.

The Guardian

However Sports Direct said he had turned up for work on the wrong day.

Independent

We phoned her office, who told us she had not turned up for work.

Independent

And so whoever turned up for work at a homeless hostel in London, it wasn't Mark Morrison.

The Guardian - Opinion

Surgeons reported that very few trainees had turned up for work and that consultants had coped well with their workload.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Then it's a pleasure to turn up for work".

Independent

One day Amos McGee doesn't turn up for work.

The Guardian

Hundreds of peers simply do not turn up for work.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not enough to turn up for work.

The Guardian

But I don't blame the refs for not turning up for work.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turned up for work" to emphasize the act of arriving or appearing at one's workplace, especially when attendance might be uncertain or unexpected. It implies fulfilling a commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "turned up for work" when simply stating someone works at a place. The phrase carries an implication of fulfilling an obligation or overcoming a challenge to be present.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "turned up for work" is as a phrasal verb functioning as the main verb in a sentence. It describes the action of arriving at one's workplace or job.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turned up for work" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone's arrival at their workplace. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media and formal business communications. While alternative phrases like "reported to work" or "showed up at work" exist, "turned up for work" often carries a subtle implication of fulfilling a duty or overcoming challenges to be present. It's important to consider this nuance to ensure precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reported to work

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of informing someone of arrival.

showed up at work

More informal alternative stressing the act of appearing.

arrived at work

Direct and neutral alternative indicating reaching the workplace.

attended work

Highlights presence and participation in work activities.

presented oneself at work

Formal and somewhat archaic alternative emphasizing physical presence.

clocked in for work

Emphasizes the action of recording one's arrival at work.

punched in

Informal term emphasizing clocking in for a shift.

was present at work

Formal way of indicating physical presence during work hours.

made it to work

Implies effort or overcoming obstacles to reach work.

answered the call of duty

Figurative expression referring to fulfilling a work commitment.

FAQs

What does "turned up for work" mean?

It means someone arrived at their job or workplace, often implying that their attendance was expected or required.

How can I use "turned up for work" in a sentence?

Example: "Despite the heavy snow, most employees "turned up for work" on time."

What can I say instead of "turned up for work"?

You can use alternatives like "reported to work", "showed up at work", or "arrived at work" depending on the context.

Is "turned up for work" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, alternatives like "presented oneself at work" are more formal.