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work on

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈwɝk ɑːn/ · UK /ˈwɜːk ɒn/

work on means: To spend time and effort doing, making, improving, or solving something.

verb

SPEND EFFORTA2

To spend time and effort doing, making, improving, or solving something.

  • I am working on my homework.
  • They worked on the car all afternoon.
  • Have you been working on a new book?

How to use it: work on something (I am working on my pronunciation.)

Common phrases: work on something, work on a project

WORK TIME OR PLACEA1

To do your job on a particular day or on a particular surface.

  • Do you work on Sundays?
  • We worked on a raised platform yesterday.
  • She never works on public holidays.

How to use it: work on + day (She works on Saturdays.); work on + surface (The builders are working on the roof.)

Common phrases: work on Sundays, work on a roof

PERSUADEB2

To keep trying to persuade someone or change how they think or feel.

  • I will work on the boss.
  • She worked on her parents until they agreed.
  • Can you work on him to support our plan?

How to use it: work on someone to do something (We worked on Dad to let us borrow the car.)

Similar words: persuade, influence

Common phrases: work on someone, work on the boss

Questions about work on

What does work on mean?

To spend time and effort doing, making, improving, or solving something.

What is work on in other languages?

Türkçe: üzerinde çalışmak · Español: trabajar en · Français: travailler sur · Deutsch: arbeiten an · Italiano: lavorare a · 日本語: 取り組む

How do you pronounce work on?

In American English /ˈwɝk ɑːn/; in British English /ˈwɜːk ɒn/.

How do you use work on in a sentence?

I am working on my homework. They worked on the car all afternoon.

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work on in other languages

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