working out

USAGE SUMMARY

"working out" can be used in written English, and is often used to describe physical exercise.
For example, "I'm trying to stay healthy, so I've been working out at the gym three times a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How's that working out?

The New York Times

Been working out?

The New Yorker

"But it's working out".

The New York Times - Sports

"Am I working out?

The New York Times

"It just wasn't working out".

The New York Times - Sports

That's working out really well.

Independent

How is that working out?

The New York Times - Magazine

It ended up working out".

The New York Times - Sports

This is working out perfectly.

The New Yorker

Working out sometimes helps.

Harvard University

It's really working out".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to general physical activity, use "working out". For specific routines or sports, use more precise terms like "training for a marathon" or "practicing yoga".

Common error

Avoid using "working out" when you mean "figured out". "Working out" refers to physical exercise, while "figured out" means solving a problem or understanding something. For example, use "I figured out the solution", not "I worked out the solution" in most contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working out" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often serving as the present participle of the verb "work out". Ludwig AI confirms that it describes the action of engaging in physical exercise for health or fitness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

35%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working out" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe physical exercise. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as depicting an activity aimed at improving or maintaining physical health. While it's suitable for most contexts, including news and media as well as informal conversation, more formal settings might require alternatives like "engaging in physical exercise". Be mindful not to confuse it with "figured out". Overall, "working out" is a versatile and widely understood phrase in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercising

Focuses specifically on the physical activity aspect.

training

Implies a more structured and goal-oriented approach to physical activity.

physical activity

A broader term encompassing various forms of movement.

getting in shape

Emphasizes the outcome of improved physical condition.

staying active

Highlights the ongoing nature of maintaining physical activity.

doing fitness

Using fitness as a general term for the activity of working out.

pumping iron

More informal and specifically refers to weightlifting.

hitting the gym

Refers to going to the gym to exercise.

getting exercise

Emphasizes the action of obtaining physical activity.

keeping fit

Focuses on the state of being physically healthy.

FAQs

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

You can use "working out" to describe physical exercise. For example: "I've been "working out" regularly to improve my health".

What's a good alternative to "working out"?

Depending on the context, you can use "exercising", "training", or "getting in shape" as alternatives to "working out".

Is "working out" formal or informal?

"Working out" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. For very formal situations, "engaging in physical exercise" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "working out" and "works out"?

"Working out" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses (e.g., "I am working out"). "Works out" is the third-person singular present tense (e.g., "He works out").