work in shifts

USAGE SUMMARY

"work in shifts" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe when a team of workers alternate taking breaks or different time shifts. For example, "The factory workers all work in shifts to ensure the production line runs continuously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They work in shifts".

The New York Times

Interventional cardiologists could work in shifts, for example, she suggested.

Stanford University

Since the house is monitored around the clock, the crew members work in shifts.

The New York Times - Tech

The work will require the men to work in shifts 24 hours a day.

The New York Times

In the white sandstone under Minneapolis, digging teams work in shifts to open routes into sealed caves.

The Guardian - Books

People work in shifts around the clock on various tasks: the containment team, the "well kill" team, the robot team.

The New York Times

At Lincoln Center, Abraham walked to the stage, where eight dancers were rehearsing his eleven-part work in shifts.

The New Yorker

They will work in shifts from Wednesday to Sunday, opening and closing each session with prayers and chants accompanied by Tibetan musical instruments.

The New York Times

We always work in shifts when we do overnight experiments, so one group works from the evening up until about 2am, and another does from 2am onwards.

The Guardian

The officers will work in shifts of 12 hours to provide as much coverage of the subway system as possible, Mr. Browne said.

The New York Times

He punched in at his new office, a converted warehouse in Queens where traders are so cramped they must work in shifts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work in shifts" to illustrate the method of operation and the dedication to continuous service, particularly in essential services such as healthcare, emergency response, and manufacturing.

Common error

Avoid using "work in shifts" when describing individual flexibility; it specifically refers to a team-based or organized system where multiple individuals alternate periods of work to ensure continuous operation, not a single employee choosing different work hours.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work in shifts" functions as a verb phrase indicating a method of organizing labor, where multiple individuals or teams alternate working hours to ensure continuous coverage or operation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work in shifts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a system where employees alternate working hours to maintain continuous service. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It is particularly common in sectors like news, science, and formal business, denoting a structured approach to managing workload distribution. When using the phrase, ensure it reflects a planned team-based approach rather than individual schedule choices. Consider alternatives like "rotate job duties" or "follow a shift pattern" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow a shift pattern

Specifies a predefined sequence of work periods.

employ a rotating schedule

Indicates using a schedule that changes periodically to ensure coverage.

take turns working

Emphasizes the alternating nature of the work arrangement.

alternate work schedules

Highlights the changing nature of work schedules.

perform work in rotation

Similar to 'take turns working' but more formal.

rotate job duties

Focuses on alternating responsibilities within a job, not necessarily time-based.

operate on a rotational basis

Implies a structured and recurring schedule.

implement staggered work hours

Suggests varying start and end times for different workers.

distribute work periods

Focuses on how work hours are divided among employees.

maintain continuous operation

Highlights the goal of uninterrupted service using alternating staff.

FAQs

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

Use "work in shifts" to describe a system where employees alternate working hours, such as, "The hospital staff "work in shifts" to provide round-the-clock care."

What are some alternatives to saying "work in shifts"?

You can use alternatives like "take turns working", "alternate work schedules", or "follow a shift pattern" depending on the context.

What does it mean to "work in shifts"?

To ""work in shifts"" means that employees are organized into groups that alternate working hours to cover a 24-hour period or an extended duration, ensuring continuous operation or service.

Is it correct to say "works in shifts"?

While "work in shifts" generally applies to multiple people, "works in shifts" can be correct when referring to a single individual who participates in a shift-based schedule. For example, "She "works in shifts" at the hospital."