work productively

USAGE SUMMARY

"work productively" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone working in a productive manner or achieving productive results in their work. For example, "I'm determined to work productively today so I can finish this project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Do you work productively with your teachers?

The New York Times

Many sufferers cannot work productively, and often die with their fruitful years ahead of them.

The New York Times

Likewise, when an employee fails to work productively, he or she hurts team performance.

Harvard Business Review

Younger workers see that technology frees them to work productively from anywhere, she said.

The Washington Post

Part of the DP is to learn to work productively and effectively in this setting.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I am passionate about this which means I work productively and am always looking for ways to improve.

The Guardian

Ellis said Labor would work productively on sensible improvements to the curriculum but would not endorse funding cuts to education.

The Guardian

These valuable wardrobe tools work productively because great thought, diligence and mathematical precision has gone into their styling.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The Independent Eye" shows him working productively since the '60s.

The New York Times

Notably, the district is working productively with its union.

The Economist

Mr. Mueller has worked productively with both Republicans and Democrats.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for efficiency, specify how individuals or teams can "work productively" by implementing time management techniques or leveraging technological tools.

Common error

Avoid solely focusing on the amount of work produced. Instead, balance quantity with quality to ensure that "working productively" also translates to meaningful and impactful results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work productively" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which the action is performed. According to Ludwig, it indicates that the action of working is done in a productive or efficient way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

25%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work productively" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe the manner in which someone works, emphasizing efficiency and effectiveness. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its widespread usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, science, and business, solidifying its place in both formal and informal communication. The phrase is recommended for use when aiming to highlight the positive outcome of work efforts. When using "work productively", ensure a focus on both quantity and quality of work to avoid overemphasis on mere output. Related phrases, such as ""work effectively"" and ""work efficiently"", provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work effectively

Focuses on the effectiveness of the work being done, implying a successful outcome.

work efficiently

Highlights the efficiency of the work, emphasizing speed and minimal wasted effort.

work successfully

Focuses on the successful completion of tasks and projects.

perform productively

Emphasizes the act of performing tasks in a productive manner.

contribute productively

Highlights the contribution made while working productively.

collaborate productively

Emphasizes productivity in a group or team setting.

achieve results efficiently

Focuses on the efficient achievement of desired outcomes.

operate productively

Focuses on the functional aspect of working productively within a system or organization.

work constructively

Suggests building or creating something positive through work.

function productively

Similar to operate productively, but focuses on the ability to function well.

FAQs

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

You can use "work productively" to describe the manner in which someone is working. For example, "To meet the deadline, the team needs to "work productively" and efficiently."

What are some alternatives to "work productively"?

Some alternatives include "work effectively", "work efficiently", or "collaborate productively", depending on the context.

How does "working productively" differ from simply "working hard"?

"Working hard" implies effort, while "working productively" emphasizes achieving meaningful results with that effort. You can "work hard" without necessarily "working productively" if your efforts are not well-directed or efficient.

What factors contribute to an individual's ability to "work productively"?

Factors include having clear goals, effective time management skills, a conducive work environment, and the ability to prioritize tasks. Also, things like technology, security and work culture enable someone to "work productively".