# work on sth

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/work-on-sth
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to spend time and effort improving something or making it better.

For teachers: to exert effort or perform tasks in order to develop, repair, or improve a specific object or project.

## Examples

- I need to work on my English pronunciation.
- The team is currently working on a new marketing strategy for the summer launch.
- While the engineers work on the structural integrity of the bridge, the architects are refining the aesthetic details of the pedestrian walkway.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am working on to improve my car." but "I am working on my car." — the preposition 'on' must be followed by a noun or a gerund, not an infinitive verb.

## Usage notes

- the object is usually a task, a skill, or a project that requires development.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'work at' (which focuses on the location or employer) to show that 'work on' focuses on the specific goal or target of the effort.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.