work out — solve or understand
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcore
to find the answer to something by thinking or calculating; to understand something after considering it.
Say it like a native
Textbook I need to calculate the total amount we will require.
Native I need to work out how much we'll need.
'Work out' is the everyday verb for figuring something out. 'Calculate the total amount required' is fine in writing but stiff in speech.
Pattern: work out [something] | work [something] out
In use
- It took me a while to work out the answer to the math problem.study
- In my opinion, it's important to work out solutions to problems independently before asking for help.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I can't work out this.
✓ I can't work it out.
With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'work it out'.
Common collocations
work out + answer— the cost, a solution, why, how to do it
Don't confuse it
Not related to physical activity—this is about mental effort.
Related
- work out (exercise) — Another meaning of 'work out' is 'exercise'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.