working by himself vs working alone

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They can be used interchangeably to indicate that someone is working without the help or presence of others.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 2826 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone is working without the help or presence of others.

"working by himself"

This phrase is used to describe an individual working without assistance or companionship. It emphasizes the solitary nature of the work.

Examples:

He prefers working by himself to avoid distractions.
She was used to working by herself in the quiet of her home office.

Show examples from the web [+]

All this time, Boris was working by himself.
We know he wasn't working by himself but we can't find out for sure.
With the security measures we take, it would be virtually impossible for one man working by himself, or two or four men, to do what you're suggesting.
Einstein was very much an individual, lone scientist thinking his deep thoughts and, perhaps precisely because he was working by himself, he got insights other people hadn't seen.
That big guy's working himself around by those containers.
A young gentleman of my acquaintance swears that he can combat the disease directly by working himself
Usually I'd say no, but... the way Booth's turning Flynn into a saint, feels like he's working himself up for something.
When a man's working himself to death, that's what he's paid for.
I'm afraid he's working himself into an early grave.
We have no time to ourselves, and your son is working himself to death.
You know, your uncle is working himself to the bone.
George left three voice-mails the night of the murder, working himself up into a rage about them cheating.
All this time, he's only been working on himself.
It looks like Goku-chan is working himself up as hard as he can.
Found himself working his dad's old feedlot.
A colleague... he hurt himself while working.
I'll be working with russell thorpe himself.
And with his only diploma, his primary education certificate, he found himself working at a dyer - dry cleaner.
Whale suddenly found himself working for people who were not in sympathy with his methods at all.
He's working overtime to prove himself, so let's not make it official till next week.

Alternatives:

working alone
working on his own
working independently
working solo
working in solitude

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone is working without the help or presence of others.

"working alone"

This phrase is used to describe an individual working without assistance or companionship. It conveys the idea of being by oneself during the work.

Examples:

He enjoys working alone because it allows him to focus better.
She spent hours working alone in her studio, lost in her art.

Show examples from the web [+]

It turns out that Dr. Wallace was not working alone.
Guess Gavin isn't working alone.
But more importantly, you're the one who insisted on working alone.
You may like working alone, but I don't.
Maybe our wigmaker isn't working alone.
- Maybe Stavros is working alone.
You're not working alone anymore.
There is no way that dog is working alone.
The Horseman is not working alone.
We understand that Officer Garrigan was working alone yesterday.
That you were brilliant at working alone.
I don't mind working alone.
Guess you do like working alone.
[Bob] Says he likes working alone.
Even though your own profile of Mostow says he's working alone.
Robbie McCain was not working alone.
Well, if you're right and the attack on us was staged, then he can't be working alone.
And worst of all, he may not be working alone.
Guys working alone, working in teams.
Any sign that he wasn't working alone?

Alternatives:

working by himself
working on his own
working independently
working solo
working in solitude

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working by himself vs working alone