shift work
/ʃɪft wɜːrk/
Meaning
This term refers to an employment system where different groups of employees work at different times of the day or night. It is common in industries like healthcare, emergency services, and manufacturing. The tone is neutral and descriptive, used to talk about non-traditional working hours.
Examples
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My brother does shift work at the hospital, so his schedule changes every week.
My brother does shift work at the hospital, so his schedule changes every week.
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Shift work can really disrupt your sleep pattern if you aren't careful.
Shift work can really disrupt your sleep pattern if you aren't careful.
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She prefers shift work because it allows her to run errands during the day.
She prefers shift work because it allows her to run errands during the day.
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Many factories rely on shift work to keep production running twenty-four hours a day.
Many factories rely on shift work to keep production running twenty-four hours a day.
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After years of shift work, he decided to look for a regular nine-to-five job.
After years of shift work, he decided to look for a regular nine-to-five job.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I am doing a shift job.
✓ I do shift work.
We use 'shift work' as an uncountable noun to describe the system. If you want to refer to a specific job or period, say 'I work shifts' or 'I have a shift job'.
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✗ She works in shifts work.
✓ She works shifts.
Do not combine 'in shifts' and 'work' into 'shifts work'. Use 'work shifts' or 'do shift work'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Many nurses prefer ___ because it gives them weekdays off.
💡 A system where employees work different hours of the day or night.
Show answer
shift work
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He is exhausted because ___ can make it hard to get enough sleep.
💡 Irregular working hours outside the standard 9-to-5.
Show answer
shift work