working hard

USAGE SUMMARY

"working hard" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase in a variety of contexts, such as an article about a successful entrepreneur or in a cover letter. For example, "I am highly motivated and committed to working hard to achieve my goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By working hard.

The New York Times

He's still working hard.

The New York Times - Sports

He's working hard.

The New York Times

They're working hard.

The New York Times - Sports

We're working hard.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm working hard.

The New York Times

He's really working hard.

The New Yorker

I like working hard.

The New York Times

I know she's working hard".

The New York Times - Sports

We're working hard at it.

The New York Times

I just kept working hard".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's dedication, pair "working hard" with specific accomplishments or examples to strengthen the impact. For instance, "She is working hard and has already exceeded her sales targets by 20%."

Common error

Don't just state that someone is "working hard" without providing context or evidence. Explain how they are working hard or what they are working on to make the statement meaningful and credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working hard" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe the action of exerting significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "working hard" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe dedicated effort and commitment. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use across various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. While versatile, it's most impactful when paired with specific examples to demonstrate the tangible outcomes of that effort. Alternative phrases like "exerting effort" or "laboring diligently" offer nuanced ways to convey a similar meaning. Remember to provide context when using "working hard" to avoid vagueness and ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exerting effort

Replaces "working" with "exerting" and "hard" with "effort", focusing on the application of energy.

laboring diligently

Substitutes "working" with "laboring" and "hard" with "diligently", highlighting persistent and careful effort.

striving intensely

Uses "striving" instead of "working" and "intensely" in place of "hard", conveying a sense of ambition and strong effort.

applying oneself

Replaces the entire phrase with a more idiomatic expression that means dedicating effort to a task.

putting in the effort

Emphasizes the act of investing effort into something.

going the extra mile

An idiomatic phrase suggesting exceeding expectations and putting in more effort than required.

burning the midnight oil

An idiomatic expression meaning working late into the night.

toiling tirelessly

Replaces "working" with "toiling" and "hard" with "tirelessly", highlighting persistent and unwavering effort.

giving it your all

An idiomatic phrase expressing complete dedication and maximum effort.

committing wholeheartedly

Highlights dedicating oneself fully and enthusiastically to a task.

FAQs

How can I use "working hard" in a sentence?

You can use "working hard" to describe someone's effort and dedication, such as "The team is "working hard" to meet the deadline" or "She is "working hard" to achieve her goals".

What can I say instead of "working hard"?

You can use alternatives like "exerting effort", "laboring diligently", or "striving intensely" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "hardly working" or should I always use "working hard"?

"Hardly working" and "working hard" have opposite meanings. "Working hard" means putting in a lot of effort, while "hardly working" means putting in very little effort. Make sure you choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of effort being described.

What's the difference between "working hard" and "working smart"?

"Working hard" implies putting in a lot of effort and time, while "working smart" suggests using efficient strategies and methods to achieve goals. You can "work hard" without necessarily "working smart", and vice versa, but the most effective approach often involves doing both.