work very hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work very hard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone putting in a significant amount of effort or labor into a task or job. Example: "To achieve her goals, she knew she had to work very hard every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I work very hard.

The Economist

2. Work very hard.

Independent

They work very hard.

The New York Times

Singers work very hard.

The Guardian - Music

"We work very hard (on signings).

Independent

"The players here work very hard.

Independent

"Asian singers work very hard," he adds.

The Economist

Be prepared to work very hard.

Harvard Business Review

He had to work very hard.

The Guardian

They work very hard, very fast.

The Guardian - Music

They both work very hard, too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "exert considerable effort" or "dedicate oneself fully" to add variety and nuance to your writing.

Common error

While "work very hard" is acceptable, relying on it excessively can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "strive" or "persevere" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work very hard" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of exerting significant effort and dedication towards a specific task or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "work very hard" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that emphasizes significant effort and dedication. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and applicable across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure context is well defined and prevent repetition. Consider using synonyms to add variety. The phrase is primarily found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert considerable effort

Emphasizes the amount of effort applied.

put in a great deal of work

Highlights the volume of work involved.

dedicate oneself fully

Focuses on the commitment and devotion to a task.

apply oneself diligently

Highlights the consistent and careful application of effort.

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

make every effort

Indicates a conscious and determined attempt.

try one's best

Indicates making a sincere and strong effort.

give it one's all

Suggests investing all available energy and resources.

slave away

Implies long hours and exhaustive work (can have a negative connotation).

burn the midnight oil

Refers to working late into the night.

FAQs

What does "work very hard" mean?

The phrase "work very hard" means to put a lot of effort, energy, and dedication into a task or job. It implies a strong commitment to achieving a goal through diligent effort.

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

You can use "work very hard" to describe someone's effort towards a goal, such as, "She had to "work very hard" to pass the exam" or "The team "worked very hard" to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "work very hard"?

You can use alternatives like "exert considerable effort", "dedicate oneself fully", or "go the extra mile" to express a similar meaning with different wording.

Is it better to say "work very hard" or "work diligently"?

Both "work very hard" and "work diligently" are correct, but they emphasize slightly different aspects. "Work very hard" stresses the amount of effort, while "work diligently" emphasizes the consistent and careful application of effort. The best choice depends on the specific context.