working under a contract

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working under a contract" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is employed or engaged in a task based on a formal agreement or contract. Example: "She is currently working under a contract with the government to provide consulting services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

If I was working under a contract, I would strike, with a heavy heart.

The Guardian - Opinion

The talks are stalled and teachers, working under a contract that expired in November, are getting impatient.

The New York Times

The city's teachers are working under a contract that expired in November 2000, and they have not received raises since December 1999.

The New York Times

About 40,000 union Fiat Chrysler employees – and about 100,000 Ford and GM employees – have been working under a contract extension since 14 September.

The Guardian - Business

The city's 80,000 teachers are working under a contract that expired in November 2000, and they have not received raises since December 1999.

The New York Times

The Legal Aid Society, a nonprofit organization working under a contract with the city, would represent nearly all the indigent defendants accused of lesser crimes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

WetStone works under a contract to the Air Force.

The New York Times - Science

A researcher at the University of Southern California, Mr. Postel works under a contract from the Defense Department.

The New York Times

The main goal of the Labor Contract Law has been to ensure that full-time employees across all industries work under a contract.

The New York Times

She said in a statement that the teachers and others would not work under a contract that the board imposed on the union Tuesday.

The New York Times

"In the absence of any other material, I would be fairly confident of persuading an employment tribunal that someone who actually worked under a contract on these terms was a worker," he says.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's employment status, use "working under a contract" to clearly indicate that their work is governed by a formal, legally binding agreement. This clarifies the scope and terms of their engagement.

Common error

Avoid assuming the duration or specific terms are universally understood. Always explicitly state the contract's key details, such as start and end dates, deliverables, and any special conditions, to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working under a contract" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It specifies the conditions or terms under which someone is performing work. It clarifies the basis of the work relationship as being defined by a contract.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "working under a contract" is a grammatically sound way to describe an employment or service arrangement governed by a formal agreement. While relatively infrequent, as noted by Ludwig, it clearly communicates the terms and conditions of the work. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is appropriate for diverse professional, academic, and journalistic contexts, conveying the legally-bound nature of the engagement. Understanding its implications, such as project scope and specific deliverables, is crucial for both writers and readers. Related phrases such as "employed under agreement" and "engaged via contract" can also effectively convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

employed under agreement

Emphasizes the employment aspect and the existence of an agreement.

engaged via contract

Highlights the engagement or hiring aspect through a contract.

performing duties as a contractor

Focuses on the role as a contractor and their responsibilities.

providing services under a contractual obligation

Stresses the service provision and the legally binding nature.

bound by a work agreement

Emphasizes the binding nature of the work agreement.

operating under a written agreement

Highlights that the agreement is formally documented.

subject to contractual terms

Focuses on the conditions specified within the contract.

fulfilling obligations defined in a contract

Highlights the act of fulfilling what is defined in the contract

serving as a contracted employee

Highlights that the employee is under a contract.

undertaking assignments based on a contract

Shows how the assignments are linked to the contract.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "working under a contract"?

You can use alternatives like "employed under agreement", "engaged via contract", or "performing duties as a contractor" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "working under a contract"?

Yes, "working under a contract" is grammatically correct. It accurately describes a situation where someone's work is governed by the terms of a formal agreement.

What does "working under a contract" imply about the work arrangement?

It implies that the individual's work is defined and regulated by the specific terms outlined in a formal, legally binding agreement. This usually includes details about deliverables, timelines, compensation, and other obligations.

What's the difference between "working under a contract" and being a permanent employee?

Someone "working under a contract" typically has a defined project scope, duration, and specific deliverables, while a permanent employee usually has a broader, ongoing role with more comprehensive benefits and responsibilities. The former is more project-focused, while the latter is role-focused.