ENGLISH
REFERENCE

work sth out

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to find a solution to a problem or to understand something after thinking about it carefully.

phr. v.. to resolve a problem or calculate an amount; to arrive at a conclusion or understanding through mental effort or negotiation.


SIMPLE

I need to work out how to fix this.

CONTEXTUAL

The two companies had a disagreement, but they eventually managed to work out a new deal.

COMPLEX

Economists are still trying to work out the long-term implications of the recent policy shift on global trade stability.

Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
work + (object) + out
Usage

when the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'work' and 'out'.

Teaching tip

highlight the difference between this cognitive sense and the physical sense of 'exercising' to avoid confusion in context.

Pitfall

We need to work out it.We need to work it out.with this phrasal verb, pronoun objects must be placed between the verb and the particle.

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