very work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very work" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "very" typically modifies adjectives or adverbs, not nouns like "work." Example: "I need to focus on my very work today" does not make sense.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Indeed, they are being lured by the very work qualities that used to turn them off.

The New York Times

Not only does your husband's insouciance violate a professional stricture, he also undermines the efficacy of his very work.

The New York Times - Magazine

I spent part of yesterday afternoon in the vegetable garden, doing the very work I should have done last fall.

The New York Times

Motherhood isn't war, madness, or addiction, but for a writer it can be an adverse condition, undermining the very work it inspires.

The New Yorker

These companies publish academic journals and then charge huge subscription fees to the libraries of the universities that supported the very work they are selling back to them.

The New Yorker

Three years later, Pauline travelled with Louis to St Petersburg to sing Rosina in The Barber of Seville, the very work Rossini had written for her father.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Stella is a very work-oriented person.

The New York Times

A lot of programs are very work-intensive and include not only the corporate branding, but are property-centric.

The New York Times

But Sharon and I are both very work-oriented and a little bit robotic in some ways, so I'm like, oh, here's the thing we need to do to evoke emotion 3/B/A.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Merkel, who called the talks "very work-intensive and productive" and defended the format of a summit that cost an estimated €300m (£220m), said that the participants had agreed to sharpen existing sanctions against Russia if the crisis in Ukraine were to escalate.

The Guardian

"For anybody who's starting out in banking or some kind of job that is downtown that has very work-intensive hours, it's good place to be," said Josh Goldin, 24, a financial analyst with Lehman Brothers who has lived for 14 months at 99 John Street.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "very work" in your writing. Instead, opt for more descriptive and grammatically correct alternatives like "hard work", "demanding work", or "intensive work" to convey the intended meaning clearly.

Common error

A common mistake is using "very" to directly modify nouns like "work". "Very" typically modifies adjectives or adverbs. Using it with a noun creates an awkward and grammatically incorrect phrase. Replace it with a more suitable adjective that accurately describes the work, such as "demanding" or "complex".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very work" functions incorrectly due to improper grammatical structure. "Very" is intended to modify adjectives or adverbs, not nouns. The Ludwig AI confirms that "very work" is not a standard expression, leading to confusion.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very work" is grammatically incorrect as "very" should modify adjectives or adverbs, not nouns directly. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its non-standard usage. To express the intended meaning—emphasizing the intensity or nature of work—it is best to use phrases like "hard work", "demanding work", or other suitable alternatives. Avoiding "very work" ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy in writing. The absence of examples highlights its unsuitability for formal or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard work

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in the work.

demanding work

Highlights the rigorous nature and high expectations of the work.

intensive work

Emphasizes the concentrated and focused effort required.

challenging work

Indicates that the work presents significant difficulties and requires problem-solving skills.

laborious work

Stresses the physical or mental effort and time consumption involved.

tedious work

Highlights the monotonous and repetitive nature of the work.

complex work

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the work.

skilled work

Emphasizes the specialized knowledge and abilities required.

important work

Highlights the significance and impact of the work.

creative work

Indicates that the work involves originality and artistic expression.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "very work" in a sentence?

Replace "very work" with grammatically correct and more descriptive alternatives like "hard work", "demanding work", or "complex work", depending on the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "very work" to describe a task?

Depending on the task, you can use phrases like "intensive work", "laborious work", or "tedious work" to better describe the nature and difficulty involved.

Is it grammatically correct to use "very" before a noun like "work"?

No, it is generally not grammatically correct to use "very" directly before a noun like "work". "Very" is typically used to modify adjectives or adverbs. To describe the work, use an appropriate adjective such as "skilled work" or "important work".

Which is correct, "very work" or "very hard work"?

"Very hard work" is the correct phrase. "Very" should modify the adjective "hard", not the noun "work" directly. Other options include "extremely challenging work".