Vocabulary
A2–B1
5 min read
Updated 13 June 2026
Quick answer: A job is a specific paid position of employment (countable): She got a new job at a bank. Work refers to the activity or tasks involved (usually uncountable): I have a lot of work to finish.
Comparison Table
| Word | Countable? | Meaning | Example |
|---|
| job | Yes (a job, jobs) | a specific paid position of employment | She got a new job at a bank. |
| work | Usually no (uncountable) | the activity, tasks, or effort of employment | I have a lot of work to finish. |
Using Job (Countable Noun)
Job is a countable noun. It refers to a specific position of employment — something you can have, get, apply for, or lose. Because it is countable, you use articles and plurals normally.
She got a new job at a bank.
He applied for the job online.
I love my job — every day is different.
Common collocations with job: get a job, lose a job, find a job, full-time job, part-time job, job interview, job description, well-paid job, dream job.
Using Work (Usually Uncountable)
Work is usually an uncountable noun in employment contexts. It refers to the tasks, effort, or activity involved. Because it is uncountable, it does not normally take an article or a plural.
I have a lot of work to finish.
She goes to work by bus every morning.
He is looking for work at the moment.
Work also functions as a verb: "She works at a hospital." "Does this plan work?"
Memory Trick
Memory Tip
Think: you can count jobs (one job, two jobs) but you cannot count work (not “two works” in the employment sense). You have a job; you do work. If you can put a number in front of it, use job.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Saying 'a work'
✗ I found a work in the city centre.
✓ I found a job in the city centre.
(Work is uncountable in employment contexts; use job for a specific position.)
Mistake 2 — Using 'works' as uncountable plural
✗ I have many works to do today.
✓ I have a lot of work to do today.
Mistake 3 — Using job instead of work in fixed phrases
✗ She is at job until six o’clock.
✓ She is at work until six o’clock.
(At work is a fixed phrase.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between job and work?
A job is a countable noun referring to a specific paid position of employment: "She got a new job at a bank." Work is usually an uncountable noun referring to the activity, effort, or tasks involved in employment: "I have a lot of work to finish." You can have a job (specific position) but you do work (activity).
Is work countable or uncountable?
Work is usually uncountable in English, which means it has no plural and cannot be used with "a" or "an". Correct: "I have a lot of work." Incorrect: "I have a lot of works." However, work can be countable when it refers to a creative or artistic product: "The works of Shakespeare." "This is a great work of art."
Can I say 'a work' or 'works'?
In everyday employment contexts, work is uncountable (no "a work", no "works"). However, in artistic/academic contexts, "a work" means a single piece of art or literature: "A work by Picasso." "The complete works of Mozart." In the sense of employment tasks, always use work without an article: "I have work to do."
Can job be uncountable?
No, job is always countable: a job, jobs, two jobs, the job. You can have one job, two jobs, or no job (unemployed). Unlike work, job always requires an article or determiner when singular: "a good job", "the job", "my job".
How do I use job in a sentence?
Examples: "She got a new job at a bank." "He applied for the job online." "I love my job." "Have you found a job yet?" "She has two jobs." Notice that job always has a determiner (a, the, my, his) when singular.
How do I use work in a sentence?
Examples: "I have a lot of work to finish." "She goes to work by bus." "The work was difficult but rewarding." "He is looking for work." "Are you still at work?" Notice that work rarely uses an article in everyday employment contexts.
Can work be a verb?
Yes, work is commonly used as a verb: "She works at a hospital." "I worked all night." "Does this machine work?" "He is working on a new project." Job cannot be a verb — you can only have/get/apply for/lose a job.
What is the difference between 'at work' and 'at a job'?
"At work" is the standard phrase meaning you are currently in your place of employment: "She is at work until 6pm." "At a job" is not standard English. You would say "at work", "in the office", or "on the job" (meaning while working/on duty).
What are common collocations with job?
Common collocations: get a job, lose a job, find a job, apply for a job, full-time job, part-time job, temporary job, job interview, job description, job market, job satisfaction, well-paid job, dream job. Examples: "He lost his job during the recession." "She has a dream job at a fashion magazine."
What are common collocations with work?
Common collocations: go to work, at work, out of work, hard work, teamwork, work hard, work experience, work environment, piece of work, look for work. Examples: "She goes to work by train." "He is out of work at the moment." "Good teamwork is essential in this role."