while work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while work" is not correct in English as it is incomplete and lacks clarity.
It could potentially be used in a context where it is part of a larger phrase, such as "while working" or "while at work." Example: "I like to listen to music while working on my projects."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All the while, work will be proceeding on The Times's new headquarters across the street from the Port Authority.

The New York Times

"Back for a while (work thing).

Vice

After a while, work on seeing other girls on their own terms, without comparing them to the girl you like all the time.

WikiHow

Work performed upon the system lowers a weight through a gravitational potential, while work extracted is used to raise the weight through the potential.

SEP

Civic Center while work continued.

The New York Times - Sports

The memorial will stay open while work is completed.

The New York Times

The high speed line remained closed today while work continued on removing the crashed carriages.

The Guardian

The pond will be closed from Jan-May 2016 while work is completed.

The Guardian - Travel

But choreographers get no such formal assistance while work is being created.

The New York Times - Arts

Her penthouse apartment alarm system was switched off while work was being carried out last August.

The Guardian

Stallworth held out three days into camp while work on his contract was completed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always complete the phrase with a verb (e.g., "while working", "while work continues"). This makes the sentence grammatically correct and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "while work" as a standalone phrase. It's grammatically incomplete and requires a verb to clarify the action occurring "while" something else is happening. Always complete the phrase to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while work" functions as a temporal conjunction, setting up a condition where something else occurs concurrently with work. However, it's often grammatically incomplete without a verb. Ludwig AI points out that it is incomplete and requires completion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while work" is a frequently used phrase that, according to Ludwig AI, requires completion with a verb to be grammatically correct. It functions as a temporal conjunction, indicating that something occurs simultaneously with work. Despite its common usage, mainly in News & Media contexts, it's essential to ensure grammatical correctness by adding a verb, such as "working" or "continues". Alternatives like "during work" or "while on duty" can also be used depending on the specific context. Neglecting to complete the phrase can lead to grammatical errors and reduced clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while performing duties

Highlights the act of carrying out specific responsibilities or tasks.

during work hours

Focuses on the specific time frame when work is typically performed.

during working hours

Similar to "during work hours", but slightly more explicit about the time frame.

while on duty

Specifically refers to the time when someone is actively performing their job.

during employment

Emphasizes the period of being employed, suggesting a broader context than immediate work tasks.

concurrently with work

More formal, indicating that something happens at the same time as work activities.

while under employment

Similar to "during employment", focusing on the state of being employed.

during business operations

Specific to the context of business and its ongoing activities.

while engaged in labor

Emphasizes the physical or mental effort involved in work.

while in service

Refers to a period of active service or employment, often in a formal or official capacity.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "while work" in a sentence?

To use "while work" correctly, you need to add a verb to complete the phrase, such as "while working" or "while work is underway." For instance, you could say, "I listen to music "while working"" or "The road will be closed "while work is underway"".

What are some alternatives to "while work" that I can use?

Alternatives to "while work" include phrases like "during work", "while on duty", or "during working hours", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "while work" on its own?

No, "while work" is not grammatically correct on its own. It requires a verb to form a complete clause. For example, you would say "while work continues" instead.

What's the difference between "while work" and "during work"?

"While work" is generally incorrect unless completed with a verb. "During work" is acceptable and means "during the time you are working". For example, "I prefer to listen to music during work".