work overtime

USAGE SUMMARY

"work overtime" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to working hours past an employee's usual shift. For example, "John worked overtime to finish his project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Health clinic employees work overtime.

The New York Times

C. Work overtime.

The New York Times

Whenever possible, make tools work overtime.

The New York Times - Food

Drivers do not usually work overtime.

Independent

"I have angels that work overtime".

The New York Times

What if they have to work overtime?

The New York Times

They forced us to work overtime.

The New York Times

Which means we work overtime if needed.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you don't, you work overtime.

The Guardian - Music

Blenders will work overtime cranking out the margaritas.

The New York Times - Food

Beds now had to work overtime to make people sleep.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work overtime", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's voluntary or mandatory, as this can significantly alter the implication.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all extra hours automatically qualify for overtime pay. Familiarize yourself with labor laws and company policies to understand the specific criteria for overtime compensation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work overtime" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of working beyond regularly scheduled hours. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe actions required by employers or chosen by employees.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work overtime" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of working beyond regular hours. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and applicable across various contexts, although predominantly found in News & Media. While semantically similar phrases exist, such as "put in extra hours", it's important to understand the specific connotations related to overtime policies and compensation. Be mindful of potential misunderstandings surrounding overtime regulations, and ensure clarity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put in extra hours

Focuses on the additional time spent working.

work extended hours

Highlights the prolonged duration of work.

work beyond usual hours

Specifies that the work extends past the standard timeframe.

do extra work

Emphasizes the additional workload undertaken.

take on additional shifts

Refers to accepting more work periods than regularly scheduled.

work late

Simple and direct way to indicate working past the usual end time.

exert extra effort

Broadens the meaning to include any form of additional exertion, not just work.

stay late at work

Implies remaining at the workplace after hours.

go the extra mile

Idiomatic expression for exceeding expectations through extra effort.

labor beyond the norm

A more formal way to express working more than is typically expected.

FAQs

How do I use "work overtime" in a sentence?

You can use "work overtime" to describe working beyond your regular hours, like "I had to "work overtime" to meet the deadline" or "The company offered "work overtime" to employees during the busy season".

What is the difference between "work overtime" and "put in extra hours"?

While both phrases refer to working beyond regular hours, "work overtime" often implies that you're entitled to additional compensation. "Put in extra hours" might simply mean you're dedicating more time to work, whether it's paid or unpaid.

What can I say instead of "work overtime"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "work extended hours", "put in extra hours", or "work late".

Is it correct to say "worked an overtime" instead of "work overtime"?

No, the correct phrase is "work overtime." "Overtime" functions as an adverb modifying the verb "work." You would typically say "worked overtime" or "did overtime work," but not "worked an overtime."