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Phrasal verbs "decide on" vs "work on"

Differences between decide on and work on

Decide on means to make a choice or come to a decision about something, while work on means to focus on and make progress towards completing a task or project.

Meanings and Definitions: decide on vs work on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Decide on

  • 1Choose, select.

    Trevor spent a long time looking at flats before he bought one, but eventually DECIDED ON one near his work.

Work on

  • 1Improve or develop.

    Scientists are WORKING ON genetically modified crops and foods.

Usage Examples: decide on, work on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

decide on

Example

After looking at many options, they finally decided on a vacation destination.

Example

She decides on a new book to read every month.

work on

Example

She needs to work on her presentation skills.

Example

He works on his painting every day.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Decide on

make up one's mind

To come to a decision or make a choice about something.

Example

After much deliberation, she finally made up her mind about which university to attend.

choose between

To select one option from two or more available options.

Example

He had to choose between staying at his current job or accepting a new position with better pay.

settle on

To decide on or choose something after considering various options.

Example

After trying different flavors, she settled on vanilla ice cream as her favorite.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Work on

focus on

To concentrate on or give attention to a particular task or goal.

Example

She needed to focus on finishing her essay before the deadline.

make progress

To move forward or advance towards completing a task or goal.

Example

He was able to make progress on his project by breaking it down into smaller tasks.

put effort into

To exert energy or work hard towards achieving a goal or completing a task.

Example

She knew she needed to put more effort into studying if she wanted to pass her exam.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “decide”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: decide on or work on?

Both decide on and work on are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, decide on is used more frequently when making choices or decisions, while work on is used more often when discussing tasks or projects.

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

Decide on and work on are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more professional tone.

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

The tone of decide on and work on can differ based on context. Decide on often carries a decisive or confident tone when making a choice or decision, while work on typically has a determined and focused tone, especially when referring to completing a task or project.

decide on & work on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Decide on

Synonyms

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