work was done

USAGE SUMMARY

It is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever someone has done something that needs to be mentioned. Example sentence: After days of hard work, the project was finally completed and the work was done.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The work was done quickly.

The Economist

Maybe their work was done.

The New York Times - Arts

But his work was done.

The Economist

Cole's work was done.

The Washington Post

The work was done.

The New York Times

Her work was done.

The New Yorker

Their work was done for the day.

The New Yorker

After the work was done, I knew.

The New York Times

"Nearly all work was done by foreigners".

The New Yorker

In a way, his work was done.

The New Yorker

Even so, plenty of work was done.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When mentioning that the work was done, be sure to include the actor that performed the work, for example: 'The work was done by the engineering team.'

Common error

Avoid using "work was done" without specifying who performed the work. This can create ambiguity and weaken the sentence's impact. Instead, consider specifying who did the work to create a clearer and more active statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work was done" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action (work) has been completed. It focuses on the completion of the task rather than the agent performing it. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

32%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work was done" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates the completion of a task or effort. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and broad applicability. While generally neutral in tone, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who performed the work to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "the task was completed" or "the job was finished" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the task was completed

Focuses on the completion of a specific task, implying a more defined scope than the original phrase.

the job was finished

Similar to task completion, but often refers to employment or assigned work.

the project was finalized

Implies a structured effort with a clear beginning and end, such as a research project or design initiative.

the assignment was completed

Specifically refers to a task assigned, often in an educational or professional setting.

the undertaking was achieved

Suggests a challenging or significant effort that has been successfully accomplished.

the objective was reached

Highlights the attainment of a specific goal or target.

the goal was attained

Similar to 'objective reached', this emphasizes the successful achievement of a pre-defined goal.

the mission was accomplished

Suggests a specific and important undertaking that has been successfully completed, often with a sense of purpose.

the process was concluded

Focuses on the termination of a process or series of actions.

the activity was terminated

Emphasizes the end of a particular activity or operation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "work was done" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions such as "the team completed the work", "the engineers finished the project", or "she accomplished the task" for a more direct and impactful statement.

What is a more formal alternative to "work was done"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "the task has been completed", "the project has been finalized", or "the undertaking was achieved" for a more professional tone.

Is it better to say "work was done" or "work is done"?

"Work was done" implies the work is finished in the past. "Work is done" implies the work has been completed and exists now. "Work is done" could be used to describe the status of a product or service. They are both grammatically valid, but the proper tense depends on the context.

What are some synonyms for "work was done" that emphasize the result?

Alternatives emphasizing the result include "the objective was reached", "the goal was attained", or "the mission was accomplished", which highlight the successful outcome of the effort.