work on — to spend time improving or trying to achieve something
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcore
to put effort into making something better or to try to achieve a goal over time.
Say it like a native
Textbook I am endeavouring to enhance my pronunciation.
Native I'm working on my pronunciation.
'Work on' is the everyday verb for putting effort into improving something; 'endeavouring to enhance' is formal.
Pattern: work on + noun/pronoun
In use
- I'm working on my English pronunciation every day.daily life
- To be honest, I still make mistakes when I speak, but I'm working on my confidence by practicing with friends.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I'm working on improve my English.
✓ I'm working on improving my English.
'Work on + noun or -ing', not a bare infinitive.
Common collocations
work on + goal— my English, the project, your fitness, it
Don't confuse it
Don't confuse with 'work for' (meaning to be employed by someone) or 'work at' (meaning to put effort into something, but often used for places or general effort).