work on them

USAGE SUMMARY

"work on them" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of actively doing something to improve a situation or to complete a task. For example: "We need to work on them if we want to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consider each aspect and work on them one at a time.

WikiHow

They work on them too.

The Guardian

Would it work on them?

The Guardian

Luckily, Dr Cumpson's method ought to work on them, too.

The Economist

There's no point in saying I'll work on them".

The New York Times - Books

(Her work on them earned her the honor).

The New York Times - Science

I want you to work on them quietly".

The New Yorker

Work on them is scheduled to start early this year.

The Guardian

No, they will think you are dumping work on them.

The Guardian

If there is, work on them in training.

The Guardian - Sport

If you have weak goals, you won't be motivated to work on them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work on them", ensure that the 'them' is clearly defined and understood in the context of your writing. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "work on them" without a clear antecedent for 'them'. Always ensure the reader knows what you are referring to in order to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work on them" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to modify, improve, or manage the items or issues referred to by "them". As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes active effort towards something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work on them" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating effort to improve or manage something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. While appropriate in many contexts, clarity is crucial, as the pronoun "them" must have a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "address them" or "improve them" can provide greater precision in formal settings. Usage is frequent across various sources, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science, reflecting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

address them

This alternative focuses on directly dealing with the items or issues.

improve them

This suggests making the items better or enhancing their quality.

develop them

Focuses on enhancing or expanding something already in existence.

refine them

Implies making subtle improvements to perfect something.

enhance them

This means to increase or improve the quality, value, or extent of something.

tackle them

This alternative means confronting or dealing with problems or difficult tasks.

handle them

This indicates managing or dealing with items in a practical way.

manage them

Implies controlling and organizing the items effectively.

take care of them

Focuses on protecting, maintaining, or addressing the items.

attend to them

Means to give attention or deal with something.

FAQs

How can I use "work on them" in a sentence?

Use "work on them" when you want to express the idea of actively doing something to improve a situation or to complete tasks. For example, "We need to work on them if we want to finish the project on time."

What is a good alternative to "work on them"?

Alternatives to "work on them" include "address them", "improve them", or "develop them", depending on the specific context.

Is it formal to use the phrase "work on them"?

The formality of "work on them" depends on the context. It's generally suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing, but in highly formal or academic settings, consider more precise alternatives like "address these issues" or "develop these aspects".

What are some typical errors when using "work on them"?

A common error is using "work on them" without a clear reference for what "them" refers to. Always ensure the reader knows exactly what you're talking about to avoid vagueness. For instance, specify "work on the project tasks" instead of just "work on them".