Help center

Phrasal verbs "act on" vs "work on"

Differences between act on and work on

Act on means to take action based on information or advice received, while work on means to focus on and make progress towards completing a task or project.

Meanings and Definitions: act on vs work on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Act on

  • 1To take action because of something like information received.

    The police were ACTING ON a tip from an informer and caught the gang red handed.

  • 2Affect.

    The medicine only ACTS ON infected tissue.

Work on

  • 1Improve or develop.

    Scientists are WORKING ON genetically modified crops and foods.

Usage Examples: act on, work on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

act on

Example

The manager decided to act on the employee's suggestion.

Example

She acts on the advice of her mentor.

work on

Example

She needs to work on her presentation skills.

Example

He works on his painting every day.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Act on

follow through

To complete an action or task that was promised or planned.

Example

He always follows through on his commitments, which makes him a reliable team member.

take steps

To take action or measures to achieve a specific goal or address a problem.

Example

The company needs to take steps to reduce its carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly.

put into action

To implement or execute a plan or idea.

Example

After months of planning, they finally put their marketing strategy into action and saw positive results.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Work on

make progress

To move forward or advance towards a goal or objective.

Example

She's been making progress on her fitness goals by going to the gym regularly and eating healthier.

focus on

To concentrate or give attention to a specific task or objective.

Example

I need to focus on finishing this report before the deadline.

put effort into

To invest time and energy into completing a task or achieving a goal.

Example

If you want to improve your language skills, you need to put effort into practicing every day.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “act”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in act on vs work on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: act on or work on?

Both act on and work on are commonly used in everyday conversation, but work on is more frequently used. This is because work on is a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts, such as work, school, or personal projects. Act on is more specific and used less often.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of act on and work on

Act on and work on are both informal phrases suitable for casual conversations. However, act on may be used in more formal settings such as business or legal contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of act on and work on

The tone of act on and work on can differ based on context. Act on often carries a sense of urgency or importance, while work on typically has a more relaxed and focused tone.

act on & work on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Act on

Synonyms

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!