useful work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useful work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe tasks or activities that are productive or beneficial in some way. Example: "The team focused on useful work that would contribute to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They do useful work helping us survey the mountains for leopards," he says.

The Guardian - Travel

They can use their new freedoms to do useful work, both as backbenchers and as searchers for new political directions.

The Guardian

This is useful work.

The Economist

I feel I do useful work.

The Guardian

"That effort is draining people away from more useful work".

The New York Times

How can MasterCard, for example, do genuinely useful work?

The Guardian

"It was to train people to do useful work".

The New York Times

He doesn't just rig, he does "general useful" work.

The New Yorker

And do useful work in a thousand forms.

The New York Times

Then the processor can do useful work during that 500ms.

University of California, Berkeley

Most of the CPU is doing useful work.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, use "useful work" to highlight the practical or tangible outcomes of the activity.

Common error

While "useful work" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation; opt for more natural alternatives like "helpful activity" or "productive task" for better flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful work" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a direct object, subject complement, or object of a preposition. It describes activities that have a practical and beneficial purpose. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage in various contexts, such as describing conservation efforts or the output of machines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "useful work" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe activities with practical and beneficial outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility. It's prevalent in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. While highly versatile, remember to consider more casual alternatives for informal settings. The phrase effectively conveys productivity and positive contribution, making it a valuable addition to professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

productive labor

Focuses on the labor aspect, emphasizing the production of goods or services.

valuable contribution

Highlights the worth or significance of the work performed.

beneficial activity

Emphasizes the positive impact or advantage resulting from the work.

constructive effort

Suggests work that builds or improves something.

practical application

Focuses on work that has a tangible and real-world use.

purposeful endeavor

Highlights the intentionality and goal-oriented nature of the work.

worthwhile task

Emphasizes the value and reward associated with the work.

fruitful undertaking

Suggests that the work will lead to positive results or outcomes.

serviceable function

Highlights the functionality and utility of the work performed.

advantageous undertaking

Suggests benefits and advantageous positions may result after the work is done.

FAQs

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

You can use "useful work" to describe tasks that contribute positively to a specific goal or outcome. For instance, "Volunteering is a form of "useful work" that benefits the community".

What are some alternatives to "useful work"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "productive labor", "valuable contribution", or "beneficial activity".

Is it always necessary to specify what makes work "useful"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the benefits or outcomes of the "useful work" can provide clarity and context. For example, instead of saying "They are doing "useful work"", you could say "They are doing "useful work" by providing clean water to the village".

In what contexts is "useful work" most appropriate?

"Useful work" is appropriate in formal, academic, and professional settings where describing the tangible benefits and practical applications of an activity is important. In more casual settings, alternatives might be more suitable.