# work with sb

CEFR A1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/work-with-sb
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

To do a job or task together with another person or group; to be someone's colleague.

For teachers: To collaborate with a person or group on a task, or to be employed at the same organization as someone.

## Examples

- I work with my brother at the same company.
- For this project, you will work with a partner to prepare a short presentation.
- The historian had to work with archivists across three continents to piece together the diplomat's fragmented correspondence.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I work my colleague on this report." but "I work with my colleague on this report." — The preposition 'with' is required to introduce the person you are collaborating with.

## Usage notes

- The object is the person, team, or organization you collaborate with.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'work for sb' (to be employed by them) and 'work on sth' (to be busy with a specific task or project).

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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.