You’re drafting a critical email to a new client and pause. “I will be working… remote tomorrow.” Is that right? Or should it be “working remotely”? The choice between work remote or remotely feels small, but in professional communication, these details signal precision and competence. Getting it right isn’t just about grammar; it’s about presenting yourself with clarity and authority.
This isn’t a trivial debate for grammarians. In a world where your words on a screen often form the first—and sometimes only—impression, choosing the right term is a strategic decision. It reflects your attention to detail and your understanding of professional norms.
At a Glance: Your Quick Guide to “Remote” vs. “Remotely”
This guide will give you the clarity to choose the right word every time. Here’s what you’ll be able to do:
Pinpoint the Rule: Understand the simple grammatical difference between “remote” (an adjective) and “remotely” (an adverb).
Master the Context: Know when the formal “work remotely” is non-negotiable and when the casual “work remote” is perfectly fine.
Communicate with Confidence: Apply this knowledge to emails, Slack messages, resumes, and official company policies.
Use the Decision Framework: Get a simple, 3-step check to eliminate guesswork and always make the right choice.
Handle Common Scenarios: Learn the best phrasing for out-of-office messages, status updates, and job descriptions.
The Core Difference: Describing a Thing vs. Describing an Action
The confusion between “remote” and “remotely” boils down to a fundamental grammar concept: the difference between an adjective and an adverb. Getting this right is the foundation for clear communication.
“Remotely” is an Adverb: It Describes How You Work
An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, telling you how, when, or where an action is performed. When you say, “I work remotely,” the word “remotely” is an adverb describing the verb “work.”
Think of it like this:
How do you work? I work remotely.
How does she manage her team? She manages it remotely.
How will the meeting be conducted? It will be conducted remotely.
In formal and professional writing, using the adverb “remotely” to describe the action of working is always the correct choice. It is the standard in business English and signals a polished, detail-oriented approach.
“Remote” is an Adjective: It Describes a Person, Place, or Thing
An adjective, on the other hand, modifies a noun (a person, place, thing, or idea). “Remote” is an adjective that means “distant” or “situated far apart.”
Here’s how it works correctly:
She is a remote worker. (Remote describes the type of worker.)
Our company has a remote work policy. (Remote describes the type of work policy.)
He joined a fully remote team. (Remote describes the type of team.)
When someone says, “I work remote,” they are informally using the adjective “remote” in a place where the adverb “remotely” is grammatically expected. While this is becoming more common in casual speech, it’s technically a grammatical shortcut. Understanding this distinction is key to making a deliberate choice. For a complete overview of how these terms impact company culture and policy, the broader guide on whether to Work remote or remotely provides essential context.
Your Communication Channel Dictates the Right Choice
Knowing the grammar is step one. Step two is applying it based on your audience and your medium. The same message might require different phrasing in a formal report versus a quick team chat.
Formal and Professional Settings: Always Default to “Remotely”
In any situation where professionalism and precision are paramount, “work remotely” is the only choice. This usage conveys respect for your audience and for the conventions of business communication. Use “work remotely” in:
Client Communication: Emails, proposals, and project updates.
Official Documents: Company handbooks, HR policies, and employment contracts.
Job Descriptions and Applications: Resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles.
Company-Wide Announcements: Memos, intranet posts, and all-hands meeting agendas.
Scenario Snippet:
A project manager is writing an email to a key stakeholder.
Less Polished:“Our development team will work remote on Friday to finalize the deployment.”
More Professional:“Our development team will be working remotely on Friday to finalize the deployment.”
The second version sounds more authoritative and aligns with standard business language, building trust and confidence.
Informal and Internal Channels: Where “Work Remote” Finds Its Place
In casual, internal, and fast-paced communication, rules often bend for brevity. This is where “work remote” has gained traction. It’s the conversational equivalent of dropping words from a sentence—it’s not technically perfect, but everyone understands the meaning. “Work remote” is often acceptable in:
Team Chat Apps: Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Chat.
Quick Calendar Updates: e.g., “Working remote this afternoon.”
Verbal Check-ins: Casual conversations with close colleagues.
This informal usage has been accelerated by the nature of chat tools, where speed often trumps grammatical perfection. According to a 2021 survey by Statista, over 70% of full-time workers in the U.S. were using collaboration tools, creating a fertile ground for new linguistic norms to emerge. Using “work remote” in this context shows you’re in sync with the team’s conversational style.
A Practical Playbook for Everyday Scenarios
Let’s ground this in reality. Here’s a quick-reference table to guide your choices in common situations you face every day.
Situation
The Polished Choice (Formal)
The Casual Shortcut (Informal)
The Verdict & Rationale
Emailing Your Boss
“I will be working remotely tomorrow due to a personal appointment.”
“I’ll be working remote tomorrow.”
Use the polished choice. Email creates a formal record. “Remotely” is the safer, more professional option.
Setting a Slack Status
“Working remotely until 3 PM”
“Working remote until 3 PM”
Either is fine. Brevity is the goal. The casual shortcut is widely accepted in this context.
Writing a Job Description
“The successful candidate will work remotely.” or “This is a fully remote position.”
“Candidate can work remote.”
Use the polished choice. A job description is an official company document. Precision represents your brand.
Answering a Colleague’s DM
“Yes, I’m working remotely today. Need something?”
“Yep, working remote. Whatcha need?”
The casual shortcut is perfect. The context is informal, and the language reflects a peer-to-peer relationship.
Crafting an OOO Message
“I am out of the office on Tuesday but will be working remotely on Wednesday.”
“Working remote Wednesday. Back in office Thursday.”
The casual shortcut is standard. OOO messages often use a condensed, almost telegraphic style for scannability.
Language Evolution in the Age of Hybrid Work
If “work remotely” is technically correct, why is “work remote” so popular? The answer lies in how language evolves. Phrases that are used frequently by millions of people tend to get simplified over time.
This phenomenon isn’t new. In English, some words function as both adjectives and adverbs without the “-ly” ending. These are called “flat adverbs.” For example, we say “drive slow” (instead of slowly) or “think different” (instead of differently).
Many linguists see the use of “remote” as a flat adverb in a similar light. As millions of people began discussing their work arrangements daily, “work remote” emerged as a faster, more conversational alternative.
However, formal style guides like the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style are slow to adopt such changes. They still favor the traditional adverbial form (“remotely”). For professional communicators, this means one thing: while “work remote” is becoming normalized, “work remotely” remains the universally safe and correct choice.
Clearing Up the Confusion: Your Questions Answered
Let’s tackle some of the most common questions and misconceptions about using “work remote or remotely.”
Q1: Is it ever wrong to say “I work remotely”?
No. “I work remotely” is always grammatically correct. In a highly informal chat, it might sound a touch more formal than necessary, but it will never be incorrect. It’s the safest default in any context.
Q2: Can I use “remote” and “remotely” interchangeably on my resume?
You shouldn’t. A resume is a formal document where every word matters. Use the terms correctly and consistently to show attention to detail.
Correct (Adverb): “Collaborated remotely with a global team of 15 engineers.”
Correct (Adjective): “Thrived in a fully remote work environment for over five years.”
Q3: What about phrases like “remote-first” or “remote-friendly”?
In these hyphenated terms, “remote” is acting as part of a compound adjective that describes a noun (like a company or policy). This usage is perfectly correct. For example, “Our organization is proud to be a remote-first company” is the right way to phrase it.
Q4: My boss and my whole team say “work remote.” Should I be the one to say “work remotely”?
This is about fitting into your team’s culture. If “work remote” is the established norm in your internal communications, using it shows you’re aligned with the group’s style. However, maintain the habit of switching to “work remotely” when communicating with anyone outside that immediate circle, such as clients, vendors, or leadership in other departments.
The 3-Step Check for Choosing the Right Term
When you’re facing that moment of hesitation, run through this simple decision framework. It will give you the right answer in seconds.
Step 1: Identify Your Audience
Are you writing to a client, your company’s CEO, or your direct teammate? The more formal the relationship, the more you should lean toward “remotely.” For peers in a casual setting, “remote” is often fine.
Step 2: Consider the Channel
Is this a permanent, official document (a contract, a policy handbook) or an ephemeral, informal message (a Slack DM)? Formal channels demand formal language.
Step 3: When in Doubt, Default to “Remotely”
This is the golden rule. If you are ever unsure, choosing “remotely” is the safe, professional, and grammatically sound option. You can never go wrong with it.
Choosing between work remote or remotely is more than a grammatical tic—it’s an act of professional judgment. It’s about tailoring your message to your audience and context. By defaulting to “remotely” in formal settings and understanding where “remote” fits in casually, you demonstrate a nuanced command of language. You now have the framework to make the right call every time, ensuring your communication is as sharp and effective as the work you do—no matter where you do it from.
I am a writer specializing in health and lifestyle, committed to delivering well-researched, engaging, and insightful content. With a keen eye for trends and a deep understanding of health, presenting and exploring topics ranging from nutrition and mental health to sustainable living. This writing is solely intended to educate, inspire, and empower readers to live a healthier, more balanced life.
