working only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working only" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify that something is limited to a particular function or activity without any additional tasks or roles. Example: "I am working only on the marketing strategy for this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But people aren't working only for money.

The New York Times

I am working only on my Platonic vision of things".

The New Yorker

It's working only for those at the top.

The Economist

"I'm O.K. working only with ethical physicians," she finally said.

The New Yorker

A geologist, he was working only three days a week.

The New York Times

Mobile phone networks appeared to be working only sporadically.

The Guardian

The Americans, he said, are working only in Israel's interest.

The New York Times

I already knew that, and I'm working only with common sense.

The New York Times

As of March, 15m Americans were jobless, while another 9m were unwillingly working only part-time.

The Economist

Mr. Nair does not take a salary, working only for room and board.

The New York Times

He worried about preserving them; with electricity working only sporadically, there was no constant refrigeration.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "working only", ensure the context clearly defines the limited scope or function you're specifying. This avoids ambiguity and clarifies the precise nature of the work being described.

Common error

Avoid using "working only" when a more specific descriptor would provide better clarity. Instead of saying "they are working only on the project", specify the aspect they're focused on, such as "they are working only on the marketing strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working only" typically functions as an adverbial modifier, restricting the scope or extent of the action described by the verb. It indicates a limitation or specialization in the type of work being done. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working only" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to specify a limited scope of activity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is adaptable to both formal and informal contexts, although it appears most frequently in news and media. To ensure clarity, it's best to define the limits of the activity when using this phrase, and to consider more specific descriptors when possible. Alternatives such as "exclusively working" or "solely focused on" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working exclusively

Indicates that the work is the only activity being done, with no other tasks or responsibilities involved.

working just

Stresses that the activity is solely work-related, without any additional elements or purposes.

working merely

Implies that the work is basic or simple, focusing on the limited scope of the work being done.

performing only

Highlights the action of carrying out specific tasks, emphasizing the execution of duties.

engaging only

Emphasizes the act of being involved solely in a specific activity, rather than just performing tasks related to work.

assisting only

Focuses on the support role, indicating that the involvement is limited to providing assistance.

collaborating only

Highlights that the involvement is strictly limited to collaborative efforts, excluding other forms of participation.

working individually

Indicates that tasks are completed without any group effort, concentrating on the self-reliance of the action.

working alone

Highlights the individual nature of the work, emphasizing the absence of teamwork or collaboration.

proceeding only

Suggests that actions are moving forward exclusively in a certain direction, focusing on the continuation of efforts.

FAQs

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

The phrase "working only" can be used to specify a limited scope of activity. For example, "I am "working only" on the marketing strategy this quarter", indicates a singular focus.

What are some alternatives to "working only"?

Alternatives to "working only" include "exclusively working", "solely focused on", or "just working", depending on the intended nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "working only" instead of "just working"?

"Working only" emphasizes the exclusivity of the task, while "just working" can imply simplicity or a lack of intensity. Use "working only" when highlighting that no other tasks are being performed.

What's the difference between "working only" and "collaborating only"?

"Working only" describes the scope of work, while "collaborating only" specifies the manner of engagement. "Collaborating only" indicates that the person is exclusively engaged in teamwork.