The man went to work in the city.

Meaning: The man moved from his home to a large town to do something to earn money.

Choice of Words: Went is the past tense of go, which means to move to a different place. Work is the activity that a person does to earn money. City is a large town.

Alternative Expressions

The male adult traveled to his place of employment in the metropolis.

Meaning: This means the same thing as the first sentence, but it uses more formal language.

Choice of Words: Male adult is a more formal way to say "man." Traveled is a more formal way to say "went." Place of employment is a more formal way to say "work." Metropolis is a more formal way to say "city." When you put them together, "The male adult traveled to his place of employment in the metropolis" is a more formal way to say "The man went to work in the city."

The dude hit the bricks to the big smoke.

Meaning: This means the same thing as the first sentence, but it uses slang language.

Choice of Words: Dude is a slang word for "man." Hit the bricks is a slang expression that means "to go somewhere." Big smoke is a slang expression for "city." When you put them together, "The dude hit the bricks to the big smoke" is a slang way to say "The man went to work in the city."

Related Expressions