WORK ON

Tiny House

"To master one's craft is to work on it tirelessly, for only through relentless effort can true brilliance emerge in the world."

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'work on' means to dedicate time and effort to improve or complete a task, project, or skill. It involves persistent labor to achieve a particular goal, often requiring patience and dedication. It is commonly used in professional settings, education, and personal development.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'work on' means to dedicate time and effort to improve or complete a task, project, or skill. It involves persistent labor to achieve a particular goal, often requiring patience and dedication. It is commonly used in professional settings, education, and personal development.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
The object cannot be inserted between 'work' and 'on'.
Register
Neutral
Suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing versatility in usage.
Transitive
Yes
'Work on' requires an object, typically a task or project.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple work on She works on her painting every day.
Past Simple worked on He worked on his presentation all night.
Present Continuous working on They are working on improving the software.
Present Perfect have worked on I have worked on numerous projects in my career.

💡 When to Use

Improving skills
Use it when dedicating effort to improve a particular ability or talent, indicating ongoing effort towards mastery.
Example: "She decided to work on her singing skills before the audition."
Completing projects
Use it when addressing the act of bringing a project to completion through continued effort and focus.
Example: "The team needs to work on the final details of the project."
Problem-solving
Employ it when referencing efforts to find solutions to challenges or problems that require attention.
Example: "We need to work on reducing the number of errors in the report."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Object placement
❌ Wrong: He worked the project on thoroughly.
✅ Correct: He worked on the project thoroughly.
💡 Tip: Remember that 'work on' is not separable; keep the object after 'on'.
Incorrect preposition
❌ Wrong: She works at her English daily.
✅ Correct: She works on her English daily.
💡 Tip: Use 'on' after 'work' when referring to effort or improvement.
Lack of object
❌ Wrong: I'm working today.
✅ Correct: I'm working on my thesis today.
💡 Tip: Ensure there is an object when using 'work on'.
Practice

WORK ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

improve develop

Antonyms

neglect

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"To excel in any field, one must ___ continuously."

work to
work on
work for
work in

In Context

In the late 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci, a polymath of the Italian Renaissance, embarked on one of his most ambitious projects — The Last Supper. Located in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, the mural was brought to life as Leonardo worked on it over several years. Despite his reputation for leaving works unfinished, he was determined to complete this task, pouring not just his artistic skill but also his knowledge of science and perspective into the piece. He experimented with different techniques, working on capturing the emotional intensity of the moment depicted. Leonardo’s painstaking method involved developing innovative mixtures of paint to capture the light and shadow, ensuring that each disciple’s expression was rendered with intricate attention to detail. As he worked on The Last Supper, Leonardo faced numerous challenges, from the physical deterioration of his chosen medium to pressure from patrons anxious for completion. Yet, his dedicated approach eventually resulted in a masterpiece that captured the drama and spirituality of the scene, becoming a benchmark for artistic achievement. The Last Supper remains a testament to Leonardo's resolve not only to create but to meticulously work on perfecting his art.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Work On

What is the origin of work on?

+
The phrasal verb 'work on' traces its roots back to Middle English, where 'work' was used to describe physical or mental effort and 'on' was used with respect to direction or focus. It has evolved into modern English as a common expression for dedicating effort to improve or complete tasks.

Can work on be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'work on' is neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It’s used widely in professional settings, academia, and everyday conversation. Its versatility allows it to apply to both technical and casual projects or improvements.

What is the difference between work on and improve?

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While 'work on' implies active effort towards a task or skill with the intent to advance or complete it, 'improve' specifically refers to making something better. 'Work on' encompasses broader efforts that may or may not lead directly to improvement, whereas 'improve' is the outcome of such efforts.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

focus onconcentrate onimprove ondeveloprefine
Browse All Tiny House Phrasal Verbs
Tiny House Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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