at work

Meaning

This phrase describes being at one's place of employment or actively doing one's job. It uses the preposition 'at' without an article. It is commonly used to answer the question 'Where are you?' or to explain why someone is busy.

Examples

• I am at work right now, so I can't talk on the phone.

  I am at work right now, so I can't talk on the phone.

• My father is usually at work until six in the evening.

  My father is usually at work until six in the evening.

• She met her best friend while they were at work.

  She met her best friend while they were at work.

• Are you still at work or did you go home?

  Are you still at work or did you go home?

• He has a lot of projects to finish at work this week.

  He has a lot of projects to finish at work this week.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am in the work right now.

  ✓ I am at work right now.

  We use the preposition 'at' and do not use the article 'the' when talking about being at our job.

• ✗ He is at his work.

  ✓ He is at work.

  You do not need a possessive pronoun like 'his' or 'my' before 'work' in this common prepositional phrase.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I can't reply to your text because I am ___.

  💡 Doing your job at your workplace.

  Show answer

  at work

• Is your mother ___ today, or is it her day off?

  💡 At her place of employment.

  Show answer

  at work