work hard

USAGE SUMMARY

"work hard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the need to put effort into a task or challenge. Example: If you want to succeed, you must work hard.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Work hard and study.

WikiHow

I will work hard.

The New York Times

We work hard".

The New York Times - Sports

Did I work hard?

The New York Times

Women work hard everywhere.

The New York Times

Did you work hard?

Independent

They all work hard.

The New York Times

I can work hard.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I work hard.

The New Yorker

We all work hard.

The New Yorker

Nurses work hard, police officers work hard, teachers work hard.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work hard" to encourage focused effort and dedication towards achieving specific goals. It's effective for motivating teams or individuals.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "work hard" in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "dedicate oneself" or "put in the effort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work hard" primarily functions as an imperative, urging someone to exert effort and diligence. Ludwig examples show it used both as a direct command and as a general encouragement. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is correct and perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

20%

News & Media

45%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work hard" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to encourage effort and dedication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is readily usable in diverse written English contexts. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its frequent use in News & Media, Wiki and Sports, with a neutral register applicable to both formal and informal communication. To avoid redundancy, consider using synonyms such as "apply oneself" or "give it your all". Remember, the effectiveness of "work hard" lies in its simplicity and directness in conveying the importance of effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give it your all

This phrase suggests putting forth maximum effort and dedication.

work tirelessly

This phrase indicates working with persistent energy and without giving up.

put in the effort

This phrase highlights the act of investing time and energy into a task.

go the extra mile

This phrase means doing more than what is expected or required.

apply oneself

This phrase emphasizes focusing one's attention and effort on a particular task or goal.

dedicate oneself

This phrase suggests a deep commitment and devotion to one's work or purpose.

exert oneself

This phrase implies making a significant effort or putting oneself out to achieve something.

labor diligently

This phrase emphasizes consistent and conscientious effort.

strive for excellence

This phrase emphasizes aiming for high standards and quality in one's work.

toil assiduously

This phrase means to work persistently with great effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "work hard" to encourage effort and dedication, such as, "If you "want to succeed", you must "work hard"." It emphasizes the necessity of putting in effort to achieve a goal.

What are some alternatives to saying "work hard"?

Instead of saying "work hard", you could use phrases like "apply oneself", "dedicate oneself", or "give it your all" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "work hardly" instead of "work hard"?

No, "work hardly" has a different meaning than "work hard". "Work hardly" means to barely work, while "work hard" means to put a lot of effort into your work.

What is the difference between "work hard" and "work smart"?

"Work hard" refers to putting in a lot of effort and time into a task, while "work smart" refers to being efficient and strategic in your approach. Ideally, you should aim to do both.