work on

Meaning

'Work on' means to spend time and effort improving, developing, or completing something. In a business context, it is used to talk about projects, reports, or professional skills. It is highly common and neutral, suitable for conversations with colleagues and managers.

Examples

• I need to work on my presentation skills before the big meeting.

  I need to work on my presentation skills before the big meeting.

• She is currently working on the quarterly budget report.

  She is currently working on the quarterly budget report.

• We are working on a new marketing campaign for our client.

  We are working on a new marketing campaign for our client.

• He promised to work on resolving the customer's complaint today.

  He promised to work on resolving the customer's complaint today.

• What project are you going to work on this afternoon?

  What project are you going to work on this afternoon?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am working in this project.

  ✓ I am working on this project.

  We use the preposition 'on' (not 'in') when referring to a specific task, project, or goal we are trying to complete.

• ✗ We need to work on to improve our sales.

  ✓ We need to work on improving our sales.

  The preposition 'on' must be followed by a noun or a gerund (verb-ing), not an infinitive.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I need to ___ my English pronunciation for the presentation.

  💡 Focus effort on improving.

  Show answer

  work on

• What project are you ___ right now?

  💡 Actively spending time to complete (use -ing form).

  Show answer

  working on