What Does “work on sb” Mean?
The phrasal verb “work on sb” means to try to influence or persuade someone. It often involves making efforts to change someone’s opinion or behavior.
Introduction
The phrase “work on sb” is commonly used in everyday English when talking about influencing others. Understanding the work on sb meaning helps learners communicate more naturally. It usually refers to making an effort to convince or affect someone’s feelings or decisions. For example, a salesperson might work on a customer to make a sale. Knowing how to use “work on sb” correctly can improve your speaking and writing skills, especially in conversations about persuasion or emotional influence.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: work on somebody (sb)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To try to influence or persuade someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Work on sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate “work” and “on” by inserting an object.
Correct pattern: work on + somebody
Incorrect pattern: work + somebody + on
How to Use work on sb?
Use “work on sb” when you want to describe the action of trying to influence a person’s thoughts, feelings, or actions. This can be in many contexts, such as convincing, persuading, or emotionally affecting someone.
Examples of contexts:
- Trying to persuade a friend to join an activity
- Influencing a colleague’s opinion at work
- Making emotional appeals to change someone’s mind
Examples
Here are some natural sentences showing how to use “work on sb in a sentence”:
- She is working on her parents to let her study abroad.
- The manager worked on the team to improve their performance.
- He tried to work on his friend to stop smoking.
- They worked on the client all afternoon to close the deal.
- Politicians often work on voters before elections.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners make mistakes by separating the phrasal verb or using the wrong preposition.
- Incorrect: I am working him on to change his mind.
- Correct: I am working on him to change his mind.
- Incorrect: She works somebody on every day.
- Correct: She works on somebody every day.
Differences / Synonyms
“Work on sb” is similar to “persuade sb” or “influence sb,” but it often implies a longer or more effortful process.
- Work on sb – focus on effort to influence
- Persuade sb – convince someone to do or believe something
- Influence sb – affect someone’s decisions or feelings
Unlike “work on sb,” “persuade” can be more direct, and “influence” can be more subtle or indirect.
Common Collocations
You often hear “work on sb” with words related to people or groups you want to influence.
- work on someone’s mind – affect their thoughts
- work on someone’s emotions – influence feelings
- work on customers – try to persuade buyers
- work on clients – influence business partners
- work on friends/family – persuade those close to you
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of work on sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “work on sb”:
Anna: Have you tried to convince Tom to join the project?
Ben: Yes, I’ve been working on him all week. He’s still unsure.
Anna: Keep working on him. I think he’ll say yes soon.
Practice
Try this exercise to test your understanding of “work on sb”:
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrasal verb:
- She is __________ her parents to let her travel alone.
- They worked __________ the client to sign the contract.
- He needs to __________ his team before the presentation.
FAQ
- Q: Can “work on sb” mean fixing a person physically?
A: No, it usually means trying to influence or persuade someone emotionally or mentally. - Q: Is “work on sb” separable?
A: No, “work on sb” is inseparable; you cannot place the object between “work” and “on.” - Q: Can “work on sb” be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, but it is more common in spoken or informal English. - Q: What is the difference between “work on sb” and “persuade sb”?
A: “Work on sb” suggests ongoing effort, while “persuade sb” can mean a single act of convincing. - Q: Can “work on sb” be used in negative contexts?
A: Yes, it can mean trying to manipulate or pressure someone in a negative way.
