working

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "working" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the action of doing work, or to describe a person who does work. For example: My father is a hard working man. He works long hours to support our family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We're working hard over the holiday period to make the necessary adjustments to our timetable as a consequence, and to provide as much information as we can".

The Guardian - Business

"The British government is working with others in the world to bring peace to Gaza and we do now have a tentative ceasefire which we all hope will hold".

The Guardian

"It will be broader brush than really specifics of working through things".

The Guardian

That lot will do anything to avoid working until retirement".

The Guardian

If they are ruling out these extreme cuts for the most disabled and carers, then it is clear they will be hitting the tax credits, and support for children, for millions of working families".

The Guardian

It is not working.

The New York Times

It seems to be working.

The New York Times

"Yes, I had concerns about Mr Obeid's son working for the company … yes, I was lobbied, but that's the nature of being premier, people lobby the premier, it doesn't mean they get what they want".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I suppose I appealed more to the working-class man, the people who worked in the meat works and the factories," he said in 2007, after announcing his intention to leave New Zealand to play overseas.

The Guardian - Sport

Polite, popular, hard working and with an easy-going manner, he has worked the brethren assiduously for 20 years as an activist in Unison.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I come from a working class background, it wasn't easy for me at all, backgrounded hard.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a temporary or draft state, use "working" to indicate that something is not yet finalized or fully functional, for example, "a working copy".

Common error

Avoid using "working" as a vague placeholder when more specific verbs could provide clarity. For example, instead of "We are working on the project", consider "We are developing the project" or "We are implementing the project" to give a more precise description of the activity.

Linguistic Context

The word "working" functions primarily as a verb in its present participle form, indicating an ongoing action. It also operates as an adjective, describing something that is in a functional state or related to employment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Sport

10%

Opinion

6%

Less common in

Tech

2%

Business

2%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working" is a versatile term functioning as a verb and adjective, frequently used to describe ongoing actions, functionality, or employment status. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in English. It's common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Sport, and Opinion. When writing, use "working" to indicate active engagement or functionality, but be mindful of vagueness; specific verbs might offer greater clarity. Related phrases include "being employed" and "in operation". Remember "working" isn't just about having a job; it's about the act of doing, building, and progressing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being employed

Focuses specifically on the state of having a job or being actively engaged in employment.

in operation

Emphasizes the functional aspect of something, indicating that it is running or active.

actively engaged

Stresses the involvement and participation in a particular activity.

functioning correctly

Highlights the proper or effective performance of a task or system.

performing duties

Emphasizes the fulfillment of assigned tasks or responsibilities.

in progress

Indicates an ongoing action or task that is not yet completed.

making progress

Focuses on the advancement or improvement being achieved.

under construction

Implies a current state of building or development towards a finished product.

exerting effort

Highlights the expenditure of energy and resources towards a specific goal.

laboring diligently

Conveys hard work, care and dedication in accomplishing a task.

FAQs

How can I use "working" in a sentence?

The word "working" can describe a person who is employed, as in, "She is a "working mother"". It can also describe something that is functioning, as in, "The machine is "working properly"".

What can I say instead of "working" when referring to employment?

When referring to employment, you can use alternatives like "employed", "in a job", or "on the payroll" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "working" or "to work" in the context of future plans?

Both "working" and "to work" can be correct depending on the sentence structure. "Working on" implies ongoing effort, while "to work on" suggests a future or planned effort. For example, "I am working on a solution" vs. "I plan to work on a solution".

What's the difference between "working" and "functional"?

"Working" implies active effort or employment, while "functional" suggests that something is in a state where it is able to perform its intended purpose. A device might be "functional" (able to work), but not actively "working" (currently in use).