work crew

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work crew" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a group of people who work together to complete a specific task or job. Example: The construction manager assigned a work crew to repair the damaged road. In this sentence, "work crew" is used to describe the group of people who will be working together to repair the road.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Old Zhao, the foreman of the site's work crew, approached.

The New Yorker

Witnesses said the work crew left immediately after the collapse.

The New York Times

I got a job on a work crew for the asparagus harvest.

The New Yorker

A bus taking the members of a work crew back to their quarters.

The New York Times

Tells how her work crew grew from 35 men to 100 men & 21 staff members (specialists).

The New Yorker

It seems clear that a work crew would be able to identify its own boss.

The New York Times

The other four in the same work crew were admitted later in the day.

The New York Times - Science

Last month, a work crew could still be seen pouring concrete.

The New York Times

But Mr. Makau, a retired furniture manufacturer, couldn't round up a work crew.

The New York Times

One winter day, when the work crew demanded a rum break, Bosworth, a temperance person, refused.

The New York Times

Mr. Sidibey was then forced into the rebels' work crew, he says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work crew", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of work they are performing. For example, "the road work crew" or "the construction work crew".

Common error

Avoid using "work crew" in contexts where the type of work is unclear. Be specific about the task at hand to prevent confusion about the crew's role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work crew" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a group of individuals engaged in labor, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work crew" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a group of people working together, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is generally neutral in tone and can be used in a variety of contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While alternatives like "construction team" or "labor force" exist, the best choice depends on the specific context. The key is to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity by specifying the type of work being performed. Ludwig's examples highlight the diverse applications of this phrase, reinforcing its versatility in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

team of workers

A more descriptive and less idiomatic alternative.

crew of laborers

Synonymous term, but specifies the type of workers

construction team

Focuses specifically on construction-related work.

road maintenance unit

Specifies the type of work and organizational unit.

repair squad

Emphasizes repair tasks and uses a more informal term 'squad'.

maintenance staff

Specifies that the workers are part of a permanent staff.

labor force

A more general term for workers, less specific than "work crew".

task force

Implies a temporary team assembled for a particular project.

working party

A more formal term, often used in official or governmental contexts.

project team

Focuses on the team working on a project, regardless of the kind of job that needs to be performed.

FAQs

How to use "work crew" in a sentence?

You can use "work crew" to describe a group of people working together on a specific task. For example: "The "construction team" is a type of "work crew".

What can I say instead of "work crew"?

You can use alternatives like "team of workers", "construction team" (if applicable), or "labor force" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "work crew" or "working crew"?

"Work crew" is the more common and generally preferred term. "Working crew" is also acceptable, but less frequently used.

What is the difference between "work crew" and "task force"?

A "work crew" typically refers to a group performing manual or construction labor. A "task force" usually denotes a team assembled to address a specific problem or project, often involving more specialized skills.