work on

spend time improving, fixing, or developing something

B1

What does "work on sth" mean?

To work on something means to give it your time and attention in order to make it better, fix it, or develop it further. It suggests an ongoing process rather than a finished result — you are still in the middle of the effort. For example, a student might work on their writing skills over several months, or a team might work on a new product for years. The phrase is very common in everyday spoken English, especially in the form 'I'm working on it', which people say when they want to reassure someone that a task is in progress. You can work on concrete things like a report or a project, or more personal things like your confidence or fitness.

Examples

How to use it

work on + noun/noun phrase

The most common pattern — use a noun or noun phrase directly after 'on' to name what is being improved or developed.

She's working on her pronunciation every day after class.

work on + pronoun

When referring to something already mentioned, replace the noun with a pronoun after 'on' — never between 'work' and 'on'.

The design isn't finished yet, but he's working on it.

work on + gerund (-ing clause)

Use a gerund after 'on' to describe working on a behaviour, habit, or skill expressed as an action.

I've been working on being more organised at work.

work on + reflexive pronoun

Use a reflexive pronoun like 'yourself' or 'himself' when the focus is on improving oneself as a whole.

After the feedback, she decided to work on herself and became much more confident.

be working on + noun/noun phrase

The present continuous is especially natural with this phrasal verb because it highlights that the effort is still in progress.

The team is working on a new strategy for next year.

Common Collocations

work on a projectwork on your Englishwork on a solutionwork on your skillswork on a problemwork on yourself

Common Mistakes

Trying to separate the verb

Unlike some phrasal verbs, 'work on' cannot be separated. The object — including pronouns — must always come after 'on', never between 'work' and 'on'.

✗ I'm working it on every day.
✓ I'm working on it every day.
Confusing 'work on' with 'work out'

'Work on' means you are still in the process of improving or developing something. 'Work out' means you have reached a solution or result. If you have already solved the problem, use 'work out', not 'work on'.

✗ I finally worked on the answer — it's 42.
✓ I finally worked out the answer — it's 42.
Leaving out the object

'Work on' always needs an object after 'on' to make sense. Without one, the sentence sounds incomplete.

✗ I'm working on.
✓ I'm working on it. / I'm working on my report.

Usage

The phrase 'I'm working on it' is one of the most common spoken responses in English when someone asks if a task is done. The continuous form is very natural because 'work on' describes an ongoing process rather than a completed action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I say 'I have worked on the project' without saying for how long?

It's grammatically possible, but it can sound a little incomplete or awkward on its own. Because 'work on' describes an ongoing process, it sounds much more natural with a duration like 'I have worked on the project for weeks' or in the continuous form: 'I've been working on the project'. If there's no duration, the past simple ('I worked on the project last week') is usually a better choice.

Can 'work on' be used in the passive, like 'the report is worked on'?

Not really in standard sentences. Because 'work on' uses 'on' as a preposition rather than having a direct object, a normal passive doesn't work. The only natural passive-like form is 'being worked on', for example: 'The report is being worked on right now.' This is fine in spoken English, but avoid other passive forms.

Does 'work on' always mean improving a thing? Can it refer to a person?

Yes — 'work on' can refer to a person, but the meaning changes slightly. When used with a person as the object (e.g. 'I'll work on him'), it means to try to gradually persuade or convince that person. This is an informal usage. It's quite different from working on a project or a skill, so pay attention to the context.

What kinds of things can I 'work on'?

You can work on a very wide range of things: concrete tasks like a project, a report, or a presentation; skills like your English, your technique, or your fitness; and even personal qualities like your patience or confidence. You can also work on a gerund clause, such as 'work on being more assertive'. It's one of the most flexible phrasal verbs in everyday English.

Why do people often say 'I'm working on it' instead of 'I work on it'?

Because 'work on' describes a process that takes time, the continuous form ('I'm working on it') feels more natural — it shows the action is happening right now and isn't finished yet. 'I work on it' is possible in general or habitual statements ('I work on my fitness every morning'), but when someone asks if a task is done, 'I'm working on it' is by far the most common and natural response.

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