worked up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked up to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of gradually reaching a certain level or position, often through effort or progression. Example: "After years of dedication and hard work, she finally worked up to the position of manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Their plan worked up to a point.

The New York Times - Sports

That has worked, up to a point.

The Economist

worked – up to a point.

Cornell University

It worked, up to a point.

The New Yorker

Since then he has worked up to 75 seconds.

The New Yorker

Slaves worked up to 18 hours a day.

The New York Times - Books

The actors worked up to the heavy stuff.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But it works up to a point".

The Guardian

He was obviously working up to it.

The New Yorker

And it works, up to a point.

The New Yorker

Work up to 12 to 16 repetitions.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "worked up to" to describe a gradual progression or development achieved through effort. For example, "He worked up to running a marathon by training consistently for months."

Common error

Avoid using "worked up to" when simply meaning "reached". "Reached" implies arrival at a destination without necessarily suggesting effort. "Worked up to" should convey both effort and progression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked up to" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a process of gradual development or progression towards a specific goal, level, or condition. Ludwig confirms the usage through numerous examples showing effort and progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "worked up to" effectively conveys a process of gradual progression achieved through consistent effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various domains. While alternatives like "progressed to" or "advanced to" exist, "worked up to" specifically highlights the effort invested. Remember to use it when emphasizing gradual development and avoid confusing it with simpler terms like "reached". Its prevalence in news, academic, and business contexts reflects its versatility and reliability in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moved up to

Indicates a change in position to a higher level, often used in professional or organizational contexts.

progressed to

Focuses on advancement to a new stage, removing the element of effort implied in "worked up to".

advanced to

Similar to 'progressed to', this emphasizes movement forward in a structured environment like a career.

built up to

Highlights a gradual increase or accumulation, often implying a physical or quantitative build-up.

developed into

Suggests a transformation or evolution over time, shifting the focus from intentional effort.

cultivated to

Implies nurturing or fostering growth, best suited for situations involving skills, relationships, or environments.

ramped up to

Implies a quick acceleration in activity or production, typically within a business or project setting.

escalated to

Emphasizes a rapid or dramatic increase, usually involving intensity or severity.

increased to

Directly describes a quantitative rise, without the implied effort or preparation.

attained

Focuses on the achievement of reaching a state, but without the implication of working towards it.

FAQs

How can I use "worked up to" in a sentence?

You can use "worked up to" to describe a gradual process of achieving something through effort. For instance, "She "worked up to" a leadership role after years of dedicated service".

What are some alternatives to "worked up to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "progressed to", "advanced to", or "built up to".

Is it correct to say "worked up at" instead of "worked up to"?

No, "worked up at" is not a standard or correct usage. "Worked up to" indicates a gradual progression or attainment, while "worked up at" doesn't convey a clear meaning in most contexts.

What's the difference between "worked up to" and "achieved"?

"Worked up to" implies a process involving effort and gradual development, whereas "achieved" simply denotes the successful attainment of a goal without necessarily emphasizing the preceding effort. For instance, you might say someone "achieved" a goal, but they ""worked up to"" a certain level of expertise.