working again

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working again" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is functioning or operational once more after a period of inactivity or malfunction. Example: "After a few days of troubleshooting, I'm happy to report that the printer is working again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Finally, he started working again.

The New Yorker

Thyroid started working again.

Harvard University

Are you working again?

The New York Times

Twitter started working again about 1 p.m.

The New York Times

And her mother started working again.

The New York Times

That was what got Germany working again".

The New Yorker

It's time to get America working again".

The New York Times

"But then my head started working again.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

WILL it work again?

The Economist

"I'll never work again.

The New Yorker

The Sablich jinx works again!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "working again" to clearly indicate a return to a functional or operational state after a period of inactivity or malfunction. Ensure the context makes it clear what is resuming its function.

Common error

Avoid using "working again" when referring to continuous or ongoing work. The phrase implies a clear break or pause before the resumption of activity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "working again" is as a verb phrase, often serving as part of a predicate to indicate the resumption of an activity or the restoration of functionality. Ludwig shows it used to describe people returning to employment, systems becoming operational, or even abstract concepts like one's head "working again".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working again" is a versatile verb phrase commonly used to denote a return to functionality or activity. As shown by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, ensure that the context clarifies what exactly is "working again" to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "back in operation" or "resumed employment" for a more formal register, and avoid using it for continuous activities without a prior break.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

back in operation

Focuses on the operational status of something, implying it's functioning after a period of being out of service.

functional once more

Highlights the restored functionality of a system or device.

re-employed

Specifically refers to someone finding employment again after a period of unemployment.

returned to service

Suggests a resumption of duty or activity, often in a professional context.

up and running

Implies a system or process is now active and functioning correctly.

back on track

Indicates a return to a normal or intended course of action, often after a setback.

active once again

Emphasizes the renewed state of activity after a period of inactivity.

operational again

Stresses the return to an operational state, suitable for systems or organizations.

resumed employment

Formally indicates the start of employment after a break.

restarted

Simply indicates that something has begun again after being stopped.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "working again" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "returned to service", "resumed employment", or "back in operation", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what is "working again"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what is "working again" provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "It's working again", specify "The printer is working again".

What's the difference between "working again" and "back to work"?

"Working again" emphasizes the resumption of a previously interrupted activity or function, while "back to work" generally refers to returning to one's job or professional duties after a break or absence.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "working again"?

It would be inappropriate to use "working again" if the subject has not experienced any prior period of inactivity. In such cases, phrases like "working as usual" or "continuing to work" might be more suitable.