work
work — verb
1. if a plan, method, medicine, or piece of advice works, it produces the result th
if a plan, method, medicine, or piece of advice works, it produces the result that people wanted or expected it to produce.
The new sales strategy worked well and the company reached its target.
collocation: work well
Vikram tried a different cough medicine, but it still did not work.
Gabriel's idea of offering a discount worked better than the old pricing plan.
Christopher's plan for the festival worked because the whole team helped.
Dr. Patel found that the allergy treatment worked best when Aisha took the medicine every morning.
- succeed
more general; 'succeed' can describe achieving a goal, while 'work' focuses on whether a specific method or plan gives the expected result.
- function
more neutral; used mainly for machines or systems rather than plans or methods.
- pay off
informal; emphasises that the effort or risk was worthwhile.
- fail
the direct opposite when something does not produce the expected outcome.
文法句型
work
work well/best
work for/against [someone]
常見錯誤
2. to spend time doing a job or task, usually in order to earn money.
to spend time doing a job or task, usually in order to earn money.
Eleni works as a nurse at the city hospital.
work as [job title]
My father works for a small software company in Taipei.
work for [company]
Haruto works very hard and often stays at the office late.
Nia has worked part-time at the library since she was a student.
Many people in this town work in the fishing industry.
- be employed
more formal; often used in official or written contexts.
- have a job
less common in everyday speech but natural in questions like 'Do you have a job?'
- be unemployed
describes the state of not having paid work.
- be retired
describes someone who has stopped working, usually because of age.
文法句型
work + as + job
work + for/in/at + place
work + adverb (hard, full-time)
用法筆記
In this sense, 'work' is never used with a direct object. To say what type of job someone has, use 'work as + job title'. To say where, use 'work for + organisation' or 'work in/at + place.'
常見錯誤
3. the particular building, room, or area where someone does their job — for exampl
the particular building, room, or area where someone does their job — for example, an office, a home office, or a shared workshop.
Cyrus works from a small home office three days a week.
work from [location]
The team works out of a shared workshop behind the train station.
work out of [location]
Justin used to work in a tall office building in the city centre.
Niran works on a fishing boat that goes out into the North Sea.
文法句型
work + in/at/from/out of + location
用法筆記
This sense focuses on the physical or geographical place where the job happens. It always requires a location phrase — 'work at/from/in/out of/on + [place]'. Without a location, the sentence sounds incomplete under this sense.
4. when you work a person, animal, or piece of equipment, you cause them to do a jo
when you work a person, animal, or piece of equipment, you cause them to do a job, often for a long period or with a lot of effort.
The farmer worked his horses from sunrise until sunset.
work [animal] + time phrase
Pim worked the printing press all afternoon to finish the wedding invitations by Friday.
The coach worked the players very hard during the week before the match.
Gabriel worked himself to the point of exhaustion before the deadline.
文法句型
work + someone/something + adverb
work + someone/something + to + infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently passive: 'The staff were worked very hard.' The object is usually a person or animal that is being made to labour, not a machine performing a task.
常見錯誤
5. used about equipment or tools: if a piece of equipment works, it runs as it shou
used about equipment or tools: if a piece of equipment works, it runs as it should; if you work a piece of equipment, you control how it runs, for instance by pressing buttons or turning switches.
The elevator is not working, so we will have to use the stairs.
Iris showed the new employee how to work the coffee machine.
transitive: work [machine]
The furnace in the Watanabes' house works by burning wood pellets.
Manuela checked the printer, but it still would not work properly.
Do you know how to work this old film projector in the classroom?
- break
intransitive; describes a machine that stops working, often suddenly.
- malfunction
formal; describes a machine not working correctly.
文法句型
[machine] works (intransitive)
work + [machine/device] (transitive)
用法筆記
Both transitive and intransitive uses are equally common. The intransitive use ('the machine works') focuses on the machine's condition. The transitive use ('work the controls') is about human operation. The negative form 'does not work' is especially common for reporting malfunctions.
常見錯誤
6. to gradually reach a different state or position, usually through continuing eff
to gradually reach a different state or position, usually through continuing effort or repeated small movements — for example, a screw working itself loose, or someone working their way up in a company.
The screws on the chair had worked loose over several months.
work + adjective: work loose
Cyrus worked his way up from delivery driver to regional manager.
work one's way up (career)
The rope slowly worked itself free from the metal hook.
Eleni worked herself into a very strong position within the company.
The stone in her shoe worked its way down towards her heel as she walked.
- move gradually
more literal; describes physical shifting without the sense of effort.
- progress
abstract; used for career or personal advancement.
- shift
neutral; describes small movements without specifying the cause.
文法句型
work + adjective
work + adverb/preposition phrase
work + oneself + into/out of + state
work + object + adjective
用法筆記
Common patterns: 'work + adjective' (work loose, work free), 'work one's way + adverb/preposition' (work one's way up, work one's way through), and 'work + reflexive pronoun + into/out of + state' (work yourself into a corner). The sense always implies a gradual process, not an instant change.
7. to cause a particular result by using personal influence or unofficial methods,
to cause a particular result by using personal influence or unofficial methods, rather than following the official system
Daichi worked it so that he could take Friday off without using his holiday allowance.
work + it + that-clause for arranging indirectly
The lobbyist knew how to work the politicians to get the new law passed.
Antonia worked her connections at the newspaper to get her story published.
Imran worked the room at the party, chatting with everyone who mattered.
- arrange
more neutral — work implies cleverness or indirection
- manipulate
more negative, suggests dishonest control
- contrive
more formal, suggests careful planning
文法句型
work + it + that-clause
work + object + to-infinitive
work + on + person
用法筆記
Often used in informal contexts. The pattern 'work it + that-clause' is common when describing an outcome arranged through clever, indirect means.
常見錯誤
8. to press, hit, stretch, or cut a solid material such as clay, metal, wood, or do
to press, hit, stretch, or cut a solid material such as clay, metal, wood, or dough so that it takes a particular shape
Kemi worked the clay into a smooth bowl on the potter's wheel.
work + material + into + shape
Élise worked the dough until it became soft and elastic.
work + dough — kneading meaning
The farmer worked the soil before planting the seeds.
Stefan worked the metal into a fine, curved blade.
文法句型
work + material + into + form
用法筆記
The object is typically a solid, malleable material. The resulting form is introduced by 'into' (e.g., 'work the clay into a bowl').
常見錯誤
9. to put sustained mental or physical effort into achieving something or solving a
to put sustained mental or physical effort into achieving something or solving a problem
Lucía worked hard to improve her Spanish before the trip to Mexico City.
work + hard + to-infinitive — sustained effort
The team worked on the problem for three hours before finding the mistake.
work + on + problem/task
Cyrus worked towards a promotion by arriving early and staying late.
Devika worked her way through college by waiting tables at night.
Maeve worked through the entire data report, checking each figure against the original invoices.
文法句型
work + on + task/problem
work + towards + goal
work + one's way + through/across
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'on' (the task) or 'towards' (the goal). 'Work one's way' describes achieving something through sustained effort despite difficulties.
常見錯誤
work — noun
1. something that you do using your body or mind, usually in order to earn money fo
something that you do using your body or mind, usually in order to earn money for living
Pim found a part-time job at a café and starts work at eight every morning.
uncountable: work as general activity
After a long day at work, Léa takes a hot bath and reads.
Folake's work as a nurse requires her to stand for many hours at a time.
Mira gets paid for the work she does at the library every Saturday morning.
Kemi found that teaching English is hard work but very satisfying.
- labour
more physical or manual work, often hard
- employment
more formal; focuses on the state of having a paid job
- duty
focuses on what you are required to do, not necessarily paid
用法筆記
Always uncountable in this sense. Do not say 'a work' to mean a job — use 'a job' instead ('I found a job', not 'I found a work').
常見錯誤
2. the documents, files, or other materials that someone handles or produces while
the documents, files, or other materials that someone handles or produces while doing their job
Stefan brought his project files home and spread the work across the kitchen table.
uncountable: work = materials/tasks
Reuben organized his work into separate folders for each of his clients.
The accountant checked her team's work carefully before sending it to the manager.
Sumin left her completed work on the desk for review the next day.
- tasks
more specific; refers to individual items of work
- assignments
tasks given to someone, common in educational contexts
常見錯誤
3. the building or office where someone does their paid job each day
the building or office where someone does their paid job each day
Mira takes about forty minutes to drive to work every morning.
collocation: drive to work
Paul cycles to work unless there is a heavy rain storm.
Joaquín left his phone at work and had to go back to get it.
A new security guard at work checks everyone's ID before they enter the building.
4. something produced by a person through creative effort, such as a novel, a paint
something produced by a person through creative effort, such as a novel, a painting, or a musical composition
This landscape is one of Van Gogh's best-known works from his later years.
countable: a work / works (artistic)
The gallery displayed early works by a young painter from São Paulo.
Samir's latest work is a series of photographs taken in the desert at sunrise.
Scholars have studied the complete works of Shakespeare for many centuries.
用法筆記
In this sense 'work' is countable. 'A work' = one piece; 'works' = multiple pieces or all the pieces by one artist or writer.
常見錯誤
5. a medical operation performed to change a person's appearance, rather than to tr
a medical operation performed to change a person's appearance, rather than to treat an illness or injury
After years of thought, Roya's aunt decided to get work done on her chin.
collocation: get work done (cosmetic procedure)
The clinic offers several types of facial work to reduce the signs of aging.
Many athletes choose to get cosmetic work done after losing a large amount of weight.
Dr. Chen warned that some kinds of facial work can require weeks of recovery time.
6. the widest possible range of options, extras, or services that can be chosen for
the widest possible range of options, extras, or services that can be chosen for a single purchase, meal, or package.
The wedding dinner came with the works: fine wine, live music, and five courses.
phrase: with the works = everything included
When Zayd bought a new computer, he ordered the works including extra memory and software.
The hotel spa package offers the works — a massage, facial, and hot stone bath.
For the graduation dinner, Gabriela ordered a pizza with the works and extra cheese.
- everything
literal meaning; less idiomatic
- the full package
similar meaning, slightly less common
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed phrase 'the works'. Common with verbs like 'have', 'get', 'order', and 'come with'.
7. a large building or group of buildings where products are made using machines an
a large building or group of buildings where products are made using machines and many people work there
The steel works near the river employed three hundred local people.
often used in plural: steel works, gas works, etc.
Lakan started working at the brick works after he finished school.
The old gas works has been turned into a modern art gallery.
Élise visited the abandoned textile works to take photographs for her project.
The cement works outside town released fine white dust into the air.
- factory
the general everyday term for any industrial building; 'work/works' is more specific to heavy industry like steel, iron, gas
- plant
common in American English; often refers to a factory with complex machinery and power equipment
- mill
specifically for processing raw materials such as paper, steel, or textiles through grinding or rolling
用法筆記
In this meaning, 'works' is often treated as a singular noun even though it ends in -s. For example: 'The steel works is closing down.' This usage is more common in British English; American English often uses 'plant' or 'factory' instead.
常見錯誤
8. the moving parts inside a machine or clock that enable it to operate
the moving parts inside a machine or clock that enable it to operate
The clockmaker carefully oiled the work of the antique grandfather clock.
usually used as 'the work of [a machine/device]'
Ryan listened to the work of the engine to check whether anything was loose.
Dust had got into the work of the sewing machine and was slowing it down.
The delicate inner work of the watch was made of tiny brass wheels and springs.
When the work of the pump jammed, the entire water system stopped working.
用法筆記
Often preceded by 'the' and followed by 'of' to specify the machine: 'the work of the clock', 'the inner work of the engine'. This sense is typically used for mechanical devices with visible moving parts, such as clocks, watches, and engines.
常見錯誤
9. in physics, the amount of energy transferred when a force moves an object over a
in physics, the amount of energy transferred when a force moves an object over a certain distance
Yuki calculated the work needed to push a delivery cart two hundred metres across the warehouse floor.
formula: work = force × distance
The students calculated the work needed to lift the fifty-kilogram crate onto the platform.
Luis pushed the broken-down car with all his strength, but no work was done because it did not move.
Meera measured the work required to pull the sled across the icy ground in joules.
The pump does two thousand joules of work per minute to lift well water.
用法筆記
This is a technical term with a precise mathematical definition. It is distinct from the everyday sense of 'work' (effort or job). In physics problems, the symbol W is commonly used. The SI unit of work is the joule (J).
常見錯誤
work — adjective
1. designed or intended to be worn while doing your job, usually for practical or p
designed or intended to be worn while doing your job, usually for practical or protective reasons
Roya put on her work boots before heading to the construction site.
work + boots (footwear for manual jobs)
The company provides work shirts and trousers for all its mechanics.
Jack's work apron has deep pockets for carrying tools around the workshop.
These work gloves are made of strong leather to protect your hands.
Putri bought a new pair of work shoes for her long shifts at the hospital.
文法句型
work + noun (clothing/footwear)
用法筆記
Always placed before a noun. Not used in comparative or superlative forms. Common in compound nouns that name protective or practical clothing for a specific trade or activity.
常見錯誤
2. relating to a tool, space, service, or document that is used for your job rather
relating to a tool, space, service, or document that is used for your job rather than for personal life
The library has a quiet work area with desks and lamps for visitors.
work + area (dedicated space)
Ryo keeps a separate work phone so he does not take calls after hours.
The hotel offers a work desk and free internet in every room.
Christopher needs a work visa before he can start his new position.
The whole office uses the same work email system for all messages.
- business
more formal; used for official or commercial purposes (business trip, business email)
- professional
emphasises a higher level of training or qualification rather than simply being job-related
- office
specifically refers to things used in an office setting (office phone, office supplies)
文法句型
work + noun (equipment/space/service)
用法筆記
Always placed before a noun. This sense draws a contrast between professional and personal use — a work phone is for job calls, not personal calls. Common in business and travel contexts.
常見錯誤
3. connected to a person's job or the duties they perform at their workplace
connected to a person's job or the duties they perform at their workplace
Élise has a meeting with her work colleagues every Monday morning.
work + colleagues (people you work with)
Owen invited some of his work friends to his birthday party.
The new training programme is designed to improve work performance.
Renata keeps a separate bag for her work documents and laptop.
The company organised a team-building event for all work staff.
- job-related
slightly more explicit; often used in formal or legal contexts
- occupational
more formal; used in safety, health, or training contexts (occupational hazard, occupational therapy)
- professional
emphasises standards or qualifications rather than simply being connected to a job
文法句型
work + noun (person/quality/activity)
用法筆記
Always placed before a noun. Overlaps partly with sense 2, but sense 3 focuses on people, relationships, and abstract qualities, while sense 2 focuses on physical tools and spaces. For concrete items used for the job (work phone, work desk), use sense 2. For people and concepts (work colleague, work performance), use this sense.
常見錯誤
work — suffix
1. added to a noun to form a compound that refers to a particular type of work or s
added to a noun to form a compound that refers to a particular type of work or set of tasks — for example, homework (schoolwork done at home), housework (daily cleaning and cooking tasks), or paperwork (written tasks in an office).
Darius finished his homework before dinner and went out to play football.
compound: homework = schoolwork at home
The family shares the housework, so no one person does all the cleaning.
compound: housework = domestic tasks
Applying for a visa involves a huge amount of paperwork.
The research team spent three months doing fieldwork in the mountains of Nepal.
文法句型
[noun] + -work forms a compound uncountable noun
用法筆記
The suffix -work attaches to a preceding noun to form a single compound word (e.g. homework, housework). These compounds are uncountable in standard English — you cannot say 'a homework' or 'homeworks'.
常見錯誤
2. added to the name of a material to form a compound that refers to the skill or a
added to the name of a material to form a compound that refers to the skill or activity of working with that material — for example, woodwork (making things from wood), metalwork (shaping metal), or needlework (sewing and embroidery).
Heather learned needlework from her grandmother and now makes her own clothes.
compound: needlework = sewing / embroidery skill
The school offers classes in metalwork, ceramics, and jewellery design.
Lukas took up woodwork as a hobby and built a bookshelf for his daughter.
Rodrigo learned leatherwork in prison and now sells handmade belts and wallets.
- craft
broader term for any skilled handmade activity, not limited to working with a specific material
- handicraft
more formal; emphasises the handmade nature of the work
文法句型
[material noun] + -work forms a compound uncountable noun describing a craft
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (MATERIAL OBJECTS): this sense describes the craft, activity, or skill, while sense 3 describes the finished objects made from the material. For example, 'She loves needlework' (the activity) versus 'The needlework on the cushion is beautiful' (the finished result).
常見錯誤
3. added to the name of a material to form a compound that refers to things made fr
added to the name of a material to form a compound that refers to things made from that material — for example, ironwork (gates, railings, or decorations made of iron), stonework (walls or carvings made of stone), or brickwork (a wall or building made of bricks).
The old bridge has elegant ironwork that was hand-forged in the 1800s.
compound: ironwork = objects made from iron
The stonework on the cathedral walls shows detailed carvings of flowers.
Cracks in the brickwork can let rainwater into the house.
The plasterwork on the ceiling has delicate patterns of leaves and vines.
文法句型
[material noun] + -work forms a compound uncountable noun for made objects
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (CRAFT SKILL): this sense refers to the finished objects or structures, not the activity of making them. The subject is typically a building, gate, wall, or decorative feature, and the compound noun refers to the visible material work.