phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

work on

to focus effort on

What it means

To spend time and effort improving something or making progress on it. It is inseparable: the object always follows 'on' directly, whether it is a project, a skill, a relationship, or a person.

Examples

  • She's been working on her novel every evening for two years.
  • I really need to work on my pronunciation before the interview.
  • The mechanic is still working on my car, so I'll be late.
  • They're working on a new strategy to attract younger customers.

Where it comes from

A long-established combination where 'on' indicates ongoing focus or contact, similar to 'concentrate on'. It is neutral in tone and used in everything from casual chat to business reports.

Related phrasal verbs

#work out#carry out#take up#follow up on

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