job work
A1Neutral to Informal. Both words are extremely common in all registers. 'Job' is more concrete and specific in everyday speech, while 'work' is more abstract and formal.
Definition
Meaning
A paid position of regular employment; the activity performed to earn money.
A specific task, duty, or project; the effort or activity directed toward a particular purpose; one's occupation or profession more broadly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
'Job' is a countable noun, referring to a specific position, post, or task. 'Work' is a non-count (uncountable) noun when referring to the general activity of labour or employment, but can be a countable noun in specific contexts (e.g., 'the complete works of Shakespeare', 'roadworks'). 'Work' can also function as a verb.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Differences are minor and relate to collocations and phrasing. Brits may use 'job' slightly more informally ("get a job", "doing my job"). 'Work' as a verb is identical. The phrase 'out of work' is slightly more British for 'unemployed'; 'jobless' is used in both.
Connotations
In the US, 'job' can have a stronger connotation of something temporary or for pay, while 'work' can carry a connotation of career or vocation. The distinction is subtle and often interchangeable.
Frequency
Both are top-frequency words. 'Work' is more frequent in its verb form and abstract noun sense, while 'job' dominates in references to specific employment positions in everyday conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/get + a + jobdo + work/job (of)work + as + [profession]work + for + [company]work + on + [project]job + involves + [gerund]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a job well done”
- “in the line of work/duty”
- “all in a day's work”
- “make short work of something”
- “out of work/jobless”
- “the job/work at hand”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In business, 'job' often refers to a specific role (e.g., job description, job title). 'Work' refers to tasks, projects, and general output (e.g., teamwork, workflow).
Academic
In academia, 'work' is used more abstractly for scholarly output (e.g., published works, research work). 'Job' is rarely used unless discussing employment within the institution.
Everyday
Both are ubiquitous. "What's your job?" "I have work tomorrow." "The kitchen job is done." "I'm working on it."
Technical
In IT/engineering, 'job' is a specific computing task or batch process. 'Work' refers to energy transfer in physics or the process of manufacturing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She works as a solicitor in London.
- He's working from home on Fridays now.
American English
- She works as an attorney in Chicago.
- He's working from home on Fridays now.
adverb
British English
- (Not directly applicable; 'work' does not have an adverbial form. 'Hard' is the adverb for 'work hard').
American English
- (Not directly applicable; 'work' does not have an adverbial form. 'Hard' is the adverb for 'work hard').
adjective
British English
- He wore his work boots to the site.
- The job centre helped her find employment.
American English
- He wore his work boots to the site.
- The job center helped her find employment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My mother has a new job.
- I start work at nine o'clock.
- He is looking for a job.
- She managed to land a job in marketing after university.
- The repair work on the bridge will take several months.
- His work involves a lot of international travel.
- Despite the high pressure, it's a rewarding job with excellent prospects.
- Volunteer work can provide valuable experience for your CV.
- The project required meticulous preparatory work.
- He was headhunted for the job on the strength of his groundbreaking research.
- Her body of work in contemporary dance has redefined the genre.
- The consultancy work he undertakes is highly specialised and well-compensated.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a JOB as a JOB description – a specific box you fill. WORK is what you do – the activity inside and outside the box.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORK IS A JOURNEY (climb the career ladder, on the way up). A JOB IS A CONTAINER (in a good job, out of a job). WORK IS A BURDEN (weighed down with work).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'работа' translates to both 'job' and 'work'. Use 'job' for a specific position (у меня есть работа = I have a job). Use 'work' for the activity (я на работе = I'm at work/I'm working).
- Avoid saying "I go to my job" – say "I go to work."
- Do not use 'job' with 'much'. "I have much work" not "I have much job."
Common Mistakes
- Using 'job' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'I have a lot of job' is incorrect; use 'work').
- Using 'works' (plural) incorrectly for employment (e.g., 'I found new works' is incorrect; use 'a new job' or 'new work').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'work' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Job' is a countable noun (a job, two jobs). 'Work' is primarily an uncountable noun (some work, a lot of work) when referring to labour/employment, but can be countable in specific contexts like artistic or engineering output.
No, 'job' is not used as a verb in modern standard English. Use 'work' as the verb. (In slang, 'to job someone out' exists but is non-standard).
It is grammatically possible but very uncommon and sounds unnatural. The standard phrase is 'I am going to work.'
The most common and neutral questions are: "What do you do?" or "What's your job?" or "Where do you work?" "What is your work?" is less common and sounds slightly formal or translated.