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Work (noun)

Work as an uncountable noun​

Work is an uncountable noun when it means something we do that takes an effort, often as part of a job or for study:

  • Hard work is good for you. It keeps you fit. (work as a physical activity)
  • I’m not going out tonight. I’ve got a lot of work to do. We’ve got exams next week. (work as study)
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We don’t use work with the indefinite article (a) or in the plural. The word for a specific occupation or task is job, which is a countable noun:

  • They offered me a job in Helsinki, but Finland is a long way from home.
  • Not: They offered me a work …
  • We always have a lot of jobs to do round the house at weekends, like cleaning, washing clothes, gardening, and so on.
  • Not: … a lot of works to do …

At work​

We can say that someone is at work when they are at the place where they work and are doing their job:

  • Can I ring you back later? I’m at work at the moment and I can’t really talk privately.

Work as a countable noun​

Work as a countable noun means something created, especially a book or painting or piece of music or sculpture:

  • She bought me the complete works of Shakespeare for my birthday.
  • Several works of art were stolen from the town museum yesterday.
  • The statue is a beautiful new work by the Swedish sculptor Lars Ahlander.