work on a computer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work on a computer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to tasks or activities that involve using a computer, such as writing, programming, or browsing the internet. Example: "I need to work on a computer to complete my report by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Mertzanis was charged, along with Hana Beshara, Matthew Smith, Joshua Evans and Jeremy Andrew, with four counts of distributing a copyrighted work on a computer network – one each for James Cameron's Avatar, Iron Man 2, the disaster film 2012, and the TV-to-big-screen remake The A-Team.

The Guardian - Film

Sometimes one port will work on a computer, while another will not.

WikiHow

The notion that the personal computer has eliminated the bone-crushing inefficiency of the typewriter, and turned composing The End Matter into a drive in the word-processing park, belongs to the myth that all work on a computer is "fun" — one of the Digital Age's cruellest jokes.

The New Yorker

I don't work on a computer.

The New York Times

I work on a computer older than that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The more you work on a computer," Ms. Copechi said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

He kept one eye on a faulty closed-circuit security system while he worked on a computer about three yards away.

The New York Times

He walked slowly on the treadmill while making phone calls and working on a computer.

The New York Times

He works on a computer with a hard drive that drones loudly, indicating imminent failure.

The New York Times

The volunteers, working on a computer, were asked whether a pair of words rhymed.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Moroz worked on a computer, which he used to draft architectural drawings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's job or daily activities, "work on a computer" is a straightforward and easily understood phrase. Use it when you want to clearly convey that computer use is involved.

Common error

While "work on a computer" is clear, avoid overuse. For variety, consider more specific verbs depending on the context, such as "program", "design", "write", or "analyze data".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "work on a computer" is as a verb phrase, often serving as the predicate of a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes an activity or action performed by an individual. It expresses the idea of engaging with a computer to accomplish tasks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "work on a computer" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe activities involving computer usage. Ludwig AI validates this by showcasing numerous examples from diverse sources. While it's a versatile phrase, consider using more specific verbs when appropriate to provide greater clarity. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is prevalent in news media, scientific, and general contexts. For more concise alternatives, consider phrases like "use a computer" or "operate a computer".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

use a computer

Focuses on the act of utilizing a computer.

operate a computer

Emphasizes the action of controlling the computer.

compute

A shorter and more technical term for working with computers.

perform tasks on a computer

Highlights the completion of specific activities using a computer.

engage with a computer

Stresses interaction with the computer.

utilize a computer system

Refers to making use of a broader computing infrastructure.

process data on a computer

Highlights data-related activities.

write code on a computer

Specifies a programming-related usage of computers.

design on a computer

Specifies the act of making designs

develop on a computer

Specifies developing something, such as software or content

FAQs

How can I rephrase "work on a computer" to be more specific?

To be more specific than "work on a computer", consider using terms like "program", "design", or "analyze data", depending on the actual tasks performed.

Is it correct to say "work at a computer" instead of "work on a computer"?

While "work at a computer" might be understood, "work on a computer" is the more common and natural-sounding phrase. "Work at" typically implies location, whereas "work on" implies interaction or task execution.

What does it mean to "work on a computer"?

To "work on a computer" means to perform tasks or activities that require using a computer, such as writing documents, browsing the internet, coding software, creating designs, or analyzing data.

Which prepositions are suitable with "work": "on", "at" or "with" a computer?

The most suitable preposition is "on", as in "work on a computer". While you might "work with" computer software, "on" refers to the device itself. "Work at" is less common and implies the computer is a location.