to work hard on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to work hard on something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of putting in extra effort into something in order to achieve a desired result. For example: "He spent hours every day working hard on the project, and in the end, it was a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She asked, "What does it mean to work hard on something?" "It means to record your sets as you do them, so you can play them back for yourself and then learn from them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When you work hard on something you don't really love, sooner or later you will start feeling stressed and burned out.

Huffington Post

"The more successful players tend to be shorter so my technique is something I have to work hard on.

The Guardian - Sport

The strong likelihood is that there is an association but the details of that association are the sort of things that we need to work harder on.'" "This is something that's been going on for some time," he said.

The Guardian

On one hand, being right is always nice; on the other, knowing that people worked hard on something only to have it canned due to mismanagement and a confused vision is disheartening.

TechCrunch

"When you're working hard on something you tend to have blinders on," she said, "It's great to hear, 'Hey, dude, you need to fix this.' " STEVEN KURUTZ Correction: August 21, 2005, Sunday An article on Aug. 7 about Web sites that include reader reports on travel referred incorrectly to contributors to Worldhum.com.

The New York Times

I worked hard on something I hadn't heard of prior to entering grad school, made it work, and got my degree.

Science Magazine

And if it is working hard on something hard (like a treasure hunt) encourage your dachshund to do a good job.

WikiHow

If they worked hard on something, it's most likely that they'll ask a whole bunch of people.

WikiHow

Don't put yourself down when you feel confused it is often a sign that you are working hard on something and persevering with it will bring great satisfaction.

WikiHow

We have to show that wanting to get on in life, to work hard, to make something of yourself, and to hope for a better future for your family, have always been an essential part of Labour's reason for being and always will be.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to work hard on something", ensure that the 'something' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "He needs to work hard on something", specify "He needs to work hard on his communication skills".

Common error

Avoid using "to work hard on something" without specifying what needs improvement. Being vague can lead to misinterpretation and ineffective effort. Instead of saying, "They need to work hard on something", specify what they should be working on like "They need to work hard on improving customer satisfaction".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to work hard on something" functions as an infinitive phrase that describes the action of applying significant effort towards a specific task or goal. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to convey the dedication of extra effort for a desired result.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to work hard on something" is a common and grammatically correct way to express dedication and effort towards a particular task or goal. It is widely used across various contexts, including news, wiki articles, and scientific publications. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for conveying the intention of putting in extra effort to achieve a desired outcome. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the 'something' is to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "to dedicate oneself to a task" and "to apply oneself diligently" offer alternative ways to express commitment and effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to dedicate oneself to a task

Implies a strong sense of commitment and focus on the task at hand.

to apply oneself diligently

Emphasizes the consistent and careful effort put into the work.

to invest significant effort in

Highlights the amount of energy and resources allocated to the task.

to pour one's energy into

Suggests a passionate and enthusiastic dedication to the work.

to knuckle down on something

Indicates a determined and focused effort, often after a period of procrastination.

to throw oneself into something

Conveys a sense of complete immersion and dedication to the task.

to strive towards a goal

Highlights the aspirational aspect of working hard, focusing on the desired outcome.

to make every effort

Emphasizes the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the work being done.

to commit wholeheartedly to

Expresses a sincere and unwavering dedication to the task at hand.

to dedicate time and energy to

Focuses on the specific resources being invested in the work.

FAQs

How can I use "to work hard on something" in a sentence?

The phrase "to work hard on something" is used to express dedicating significant effort to achieve a goal or improve a specific area. For example, "She decided "to work hard on her thesis"".

What are some alternatives to "to work hard on something"?

Alternatives include "to dedicate oneself to a task", "to apply oneself diligently", or "to invest significant effort in", each conveying a slightly different nuance of effort and commitment.

Is it better to say "work hard at something" or "work hard on something"?

Both "work hard at something" and "work hard on something" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context, though "work hard on something" might be slightly more direct in specifying the task at hand.

What does it mean to "work hard on something"?

To "work hard on something" means to dedicate considerable effort, time, and focus to a particular task, project, or skill with the intention of improving or achieving a desired outcome. It emphasizes the active effort being invested in the 'something' in question.