Common Mistakes

When is it better to use JOB and when WORK?


✅ The term ‘work‘ refers to the activities (physical or mental performed by people, so as to achieve the desired outcome). It includes everything that we do to get the intended result like studying, dancing, cooking, singing, playing…

● Work at/for (a company)
– I work at IKEA.
● Working on (a project/task)
– I’m working on a story for a big national news magazine.
● Work with (people/objects): 
– I work with children all day.
– I work with hazardous chemicals at the pharmacy.

The word work also refers to the context of your employment.
– I start work at 7 am. (not – I start my job at 7 am) 
– I finish/leave work at 7pm. (not – I finish my job at 7pm)
– I usually go to work by car. (not – I usually go to my job by car) 
– Last night I went to the bar with some friends from work. 
“Work” is an uncountable noun, so it is not used in the plural: 
⛔ I have three (works) to do this week. 
✔ I have three projects/tasks/assignments to do this week. 
Exception: when talking about works of art/literature.

✅ A job is a regular and official activity that you do to receive a salary for your activity. You can have a full-time job (40 hours per week) or a part-time job (around 25 hours per week). 
● A demanding job – requires a lot of effort, time, energy.
– It’s going to be a demanding job, she’ll need you 24-7.
● A fulfilling/rewarding job – it makes you feel good and satisfied.
– Working as a teacher is one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve had. 
● A dead-end job – there aren’t any opportunities for promotions.
– Being a truck driver is a dead-end job.

The word job is a countable noun: 
– He worked two jobs to cover his bills.

As a result, we “work” at our “jobs” but the underlying difference is – “work” can be used in areas where it’s just labour, while “job” refers specifically to paid work.

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