Other Ways to Say Work On: 30+ Formal, Professional, Casual, and Creative Alternatives For 2026

When you use the phrase “work on” repeatedly, your writing can quickly start to sound repetitive. Fortunately, English offers many alternatives that can make your sentences more specific, polished, and natural. Whether you are writing an email, resume, business report, academic assignment, blog post, or casual message, choosing a more precise expression can make a noticeable difference.

Other ways to say “work on” include develop, improve, focus on, address, handle, manage, refine, pursue, collaborate on, and work toward.

The phrase “work on” is extremely flexible, but its meaning changes depending on the situation. You might work on a project, work on a problem, work on improving a skill, or work on a relationship. Because each situation involves a slightly different type of effort, a more specific alternative can communicate your meaning more clearly.

Learning different ways to say “work on” can therefore improve your vocabulary, reduce repetition, and help you adjust your language to suit formal, professional, casual, and friendly situations.

What Does “Work On” Mean?

“Work on” generally means to spend time and effort creating, developing, improving, fixing, completing, or dealing with something.

For example:

I am working on a new marketing campaign.

This means that the person is spending time developing or preparing the campaign.

The phrase can describe many different activities:

• Working on a project
• Working on a report
• Working on a problem
• Working on your communication skills
• Working on a presentation
• Working on a website
• Working on a relationship
• Working on personal goals

Because “work on” has such a broad meaning, replacing it with a more specific phrase can make your writing much stronger.

Why Use Other Ways to Say Work On?

Using alternatives to “work on” is useful when you want to make your writing more precise or avoid repeating the same phrase.

Consider these examples:

We are working on the customer service issue.

This is understandable, but:

We are addressing the customer service issue.

sounds more professional and directly communicates that the problem is being dealt with.

Likewise:

She is working on her presentation skills.

could become:

She is improving her presentation skills.

The second sentence tells the reader exactly what kind of work is taking place.

Using alternatives can help you:

• Improve your vocabulary
• Avoid repetitive sentences
• Write stronger resumes
• Create professional emails
• Make reports more precise
• Improve academic writing
• Sound more natural in conversation
• Communicate project progress clearly
• Make blog content more engaging
• Choose language appropriate for different audiences

Formal Ways to Say Work On

Formal alternatives are particularly useful in academic writing, official documents, research papers, reports, and formal workplace communication.

Develop

Meaning: To create, build, or improve something systematically over time.

Tone: Formal and professional.

Best use cases: Reports, academic writing, business documents, emails, workplace communication.

Example: The research team is developing a new method for analyzing customer behavior.

Usage warning: Use “develop” when something is being created, expanded, or improved rather than simply completed.

Address

Meaning: To deal with a problem, concern, need, or issue.

Tone: Formal and professional.

Best use cases: Reports, business emails, customer support, workplace communication.

Example: The company is addressing the concerns raised by its customers.

Usage warning: “Address” is most appropriate for problems, concerns, needs, and issues.

Undertake

Meaning: To begin and take responsibility for a task, project, or activity.

Tone: Formal.

Best use cases: Official documents, academic writing, business reports, professional communication.

Example: The organization will undertake a comprehensive review of its internal policies.

Usage warning: This word can sound too formal for everyday conversation.

Pursue

Meaning: To actively work toward achieving a goal, objective, or opportunity.

Tone: Formal and polished.

Best use cases: Academic writing, business documents, professional profiles, reports.

Example: The company is pursuing new opportunities in international markets.

Usage warning: “Pursue” emphasizes a goal or objective rather than the individual tasks involved.

Engage In

Meaning: To participate actively in an activity or process.

Tone: Formal and neutral.

Best use cases: Academic writing, research, reports, professional documents.

Example: The university is engaging in research to develop more sustainable technologies.

Usage warning: “Engage in” emphasizes participation rather than ownership of the entire task.

Devote Effort To

Meaning: To dedicate time, energy, or resources to something.

Tone: Formal and purposeful.

Best use cases: Reports, professional writing, personal statements, academic writing.

Example: The organization continues to devote considerable effort to improving employee training.

Usage warning: This expression emphasizes dedication and effort rather than simply describing an activity.

Make Progress On

Meaning: To move forward or advance with a task, project, or goal.

Tone: Formal to neutral.

Best use cases: Reports, emails, project updates, workplace communication.

Example: The development team has made significant progress on the new software platform.

Usage warning: Use this when there has been actual progress rather than simply an intention to begin.

Carry Out Work On

Meaning: To perform or conduct work related to a particular task or subject.

Tone: Formal.

Best use cases: Reports, research, technical writing, official communication.

Example: Engineers are carrying out work on the building’s electrical system.

Usage warning: This construction can sound bureaucratic, so a simpler verb may be better in ordinary communication.

Professional and Business Ways to Say Work On

Professional alternatives are ideal for workplace emails, resumes, LinkedIn profiles, project updates, presentations, and business communication.

Focus On

Meaning: To give particular attention or priority to something.

Tone: Professional and natural.

Best use cases: Workplace emails, meetings, reports, business conversations.

Example: Our team will focus on improving the customer onboarding process this quarter.

Usage warning: “Focus on” emphasizes attention or priority rather than completion.

Manage

Meaning: To organize, control, oversee, or take responsibility for something.

Tone: Professional.

Best use cases: Resumes, workplace communication, business profiles, reports.

Example: She manages several marketing projects for the company.

Usage warning: “Manage” often implies responsibility or leadership, so do not use it if you only assisted with the task.

Handle

Meaning: To deal with, manage, or take responsibility for a task or situation.

Tone: Professional and practical.

Best use cases: Emails, customer service, workplace communication.

Example: I will handle the client requests while you prepare the presentation.

Usage warning: “Handle” is best for tasks, responsibilities, situations, and problems.

Improve

Meaning: To make something better than it was previously.

Tone: Professional and straightforward.

Best use cases: Reports, emails, resumes, workplace communication.

Example: The team is improving the website’s navigation to make it easier for customers to use.

Usage warning: Use “improve” when making something better is the main purpose of the work.

Refine

Meaning: To make something more polished, accurate, effective, or precise.

Tone: Professional and sophisticated.

Best use cases: Presentations, reports, proposals, documents, business communication.

Example: We are refining the proposal before presenting it to the client.

Usage warning: “Refine” usually suggests that something already exists and is being improved.

Collaborate On

Meaning: To work together with other people on a project or task.

Tone: Professional and collaborative.

Best use cases: Workplace communication, resumes, LinkedIn profiles, team updates.

Example: The marketing and design teams are collaborating on the company’s new campaign.

Usage warning: Use this when two or more people or teams are actively working together.

Contribute To

Meaning: To provide ideas, effort, knowledge, or resources toward a project or goal.

Tone: Professional and collaborative.

Best use cases: Resumes, workplace communication, professional profiles.

Example: I contributed to the development of the company’s employee training program.

Usage warning: “Contribute to” suggests participation but does not necessarily mean you led the project.

Tackle

Meaning: To make a serious effort to deal with a difficult task or problem.

Tone: Professional, energetic, and action-oriented.

Best use cases: Business writing, presentations, workplace communication.

Example: The management team is tackling several challenges related to supply chain delays.

Usage warning: “Tackle” is stronger and more energetic than the neutral phrase “work on.”

Advance

Meaning: To move something forward or help it make progress.

Tone: Professional and formal.

Best use cases: Business reports, strategy documents, professional writing.

Example: The new partnership will help advance the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Usage warning: “Advance” usually refers to broader goals rather than individual routine tasks.

Informal and Casual Ways to Say Work On

Casual alternatives work well in everyday conversation, text messages, social media posts, and relaxed workplace communication.

Deal With

Meaning: To handle, manage, or respond to something.

Tone: Casual to neutral.

Best use cases: Conversation, text messages, informal emails, social media.

Example: I need to deal with a few emails before I leave the office.

Usage warning: “Deal with” can sometimes make a task sound like a problem or inconvenience.

Take Care Of

Meaning: To handle, complete, or manage something.

Tone: Casual and natural.

Best use cases: Conversation, workplace messages, customer service.

Example: Don’t worry; I’ll take care of the paperwork.

Usage warning: This phrase is broad, so use a more specific verb when exact meaning is important.

Get Into

Meaning: To begin focusing on or becoming involved in something.

Tone: Casual.

Best use cases: Conversation, text messages, informal communication.

Example: I’ll get into the report after lunch.

Usage warning: This expression can sound too informal for formal business or academic writing.

Put Time Into

Meaning: To spend time and effort on something.

Tone: Casual and natural.

Best use cases: Conversation, social media, personal development.

Example: I’ve been putting a lot of time into learning graphic design.

Usage warning: This emphasizes time and effort rather than measurable results.

Spend Time On

Meaning: To use time doing, improving, or completing something.

Tone: Casual and neutral.

Best use cases: Conversation, social media, informal writing.

Example: I spend several hours each week on improving my writing skills.

Usage warning: “Spend time on” does not necessarily mean that progress has been made.

Keep At

Meaning: To continue making an effort despite difficulty or slow progress.

Tone: Casual and encouraging.

Best use cases: Conversation, social media, personal development.

Example: Keep at your writing practice, and you’ll become more confident.

Usage warning: This expression emphasizes persistence rather than the task itself.

Get To Work On

Meaning: To begin working on something.

Tone: Casual and energetic.

Best use cases: Conversation, team messages, informal workplace communication.

Example: Let’s get to work on the new campaign tomorrow morning.

Usage warning: It focuses on starting the activity rather than describing the entire process.

Friendly and Creative Ways to Say Work On

These alternatives can make blogs, social media posts, presentations, and casual communication more engaging.

Dive Into

Meaning: To begin working on something with energy and enthusiasm.

Tone: Friendly and energetic.

Best use cases: Blogs, presentations, social media, conversation.

Example: After lunch, we’ll dive into the final stage of the project.

Usage warning: This is metaphorical and may be inappropriate for highly formal documents.

Dig Into

Meaning: To examine, investigate, or work on something carefully.

Tone: Friendly and conversational.

Best use cases: Blogs, workplace conversations, social media, informal reports.

Example: The research team will dig into the customer feedback this week.

Usage warning: This is informal, so use “analyze” or “examine” in formal academic writing.

Build On

Meaning: To develop something further using an existing foundation, idea, or achievement.

Tone: Friendly to professional.

Best use cases: Business writing, blogs, presentations, workplace discussions.

Example: We can build on the success of last year’s marketing campaign.

Usage warning: “Build on” requires something existing that can serve as a foundation.

Put Effort Into

Meaning: To make a deliberate effort to improve or complete something.

Tone: Friendly and neutral.

Best use cases: Conversation, personal development, social media.

Example: She has been putting a lot of effort into improving her presentation skills.

Usage warning: This emphasizes effort rather than a specific responsibility or outcome.

Keep Improving

Meaning: To continue making something better.

Tone: Friendly and encouraging.

Best use cases: Social media, coaching, conversation, personal development.

Example: We’re listening to customer feedback and continuing to improve the product.

Usage warning: “Continue improving” is more polished than “keep improving” in formal writing.

Work Toward

Meaning: To make progress in the direction of a specific goal.

Tone: Friendly, neutral, and professional.

Best use cases: Goals, workplace communication, personal development, business plans.

Example: We are working toward completing the project by the end of the month.

Usage warning: “Work toward” emphasizes the goal rather than the individual activities.

Invest Time In

Meaning: To deliberately spend time and energy developing something valuable.

Tone: Friendly and professional.

Best use cases: Career advice, blogs, social media, professional communication.

Example: Successful professionals often invest time in developing their communication skills.

Usage warning: This expression suggests that the time spent is valuable or purposeful.

Tone Comparison: Formal vs. Professional vs. Casual vs. Friendly

Choosing the right alternative to “work on” depends on who you are communicating with and what you want to express.

Formal Tone

Formal language is appropriate for academic papers, official documents, research, and formal reports.

Strong choices include:

• Develop
• Address
• Undertake
• Pursue
• Engage in
• Devote effort to

Example:

The organization is undertaking a comprehensive review of its operational procedures.

This sounds precise and official.

Professional Tone

Professional language is ideal for workplace emails, business reports, resumes, presentations, and LinkedIn profiles.

Strong choices include:

• Focus on
• Manage
• Handle
• Improve
• Refine
• Collaborate on
• Contribute to

Example:

The team is focusing on improving customer satisfaction.

This sounds polished without being unnecessarily formal.

Casual Tone

Casual expressions are appropriate for conversations, text messages, social media, and relaxed workplace interactions.

Strong choices include:

• Deal with
• Take care of
• Get into
• Put time into
• Spend time on
• Keep at

Example:

I’ll take care of the report this afternoon.

This sounds natural and conversational.

Friendly and Creative Tone

Friendly alternatives can make content feel more energetic and approachable.

Strong choices include:

• Dive into
• Dig into
• Build on
• Put effort into
• Work toward
• Invest time in

Example:

Let’s dive into the next stage of the project.

This creates an energetic and collaborative feeling.

Comparison Table: Other Ways to Say Work On

Real-Life Usage Examples

Knowing synonyms is useful, but understanding how they work in real situations is even more important.

Email Example

Instead of:

I am currently working on the report.

You could write:

I am currently finalizing the report and expect to send it tomorrow afternoon.

“Finalizing” is more precise when the document is almost complete.

Another option is:

I am currently developing the report and will share a draft by tomorrow.

This works when the report is still being created.

Workplace Example

Instead of:

We are working on the customer service problem.

Try:

We are addressing the customer service issue.

“Addressing” sounds professional and communicates that the issue is actively being dealt with.

Customer Support Example

Instead of:

Our technical team is working on your issue.

Try:

Our technical team is currently investigating the issue and working toward a solution.

This version gives the customer more information and sounds reassuring.

Social Media Example

Instead of:

I’ve been working on my fitness goals.

Try:

I’ve been putting more effort into my fitness goals lately.

This sounds personal and conversational.

Blog Writing Example

Instead of repeatedly writing:

Businesses should work on improving customer service.

You can vary your wording:

Businesses should focus on improving customer service.

Later, you could write:

Companies should address common customer concerns.

And:

Organizations can refine their support processes.

This creates variety while preserving the intended meaning.

Resume Example

Instead of:

Worked on marketing campaigns.

Use a stronger action verb:

Developed and managed marketing campaigns that increased online engagement.

Resume writing benefits from specific action verbs because they communicate your contribution more clearly.

Academic Writing Example

Instead of:

Researchers are working on a solution to the problem.

You could write:

Researchers are developing a potential solution to the problem.

Or:

Researchers are investigating potential solutions to the problem.

These alternatives are more precise and appropriate for academic writing.

How to Choose the Best Alternative to Work On

The right synonym depends on the exact action you are describing.

When You Are Creating Something

Use:

• Develop
• Create
• Design
• Build

Example:

The team is developing a new mobile application.

When You Are Improving Something

Use:

• Improve
• Refine
• Enhance
• Upgrade

Example:

We are refining the proposal before the meeting.

When You Are Dealing With a Problem

Use:

• Address
• Handle
• Tackle
• Resolve

Example:

The company is addressing customer complaints.

When You Are Working Toward a Goal

Use:

• Pursue
• Work toward
• Advance
• Strive for

Example:

The organization is working toward reducing its environmental impact.

When You Are Working With Others

Use:

• Collaborate on
• Contribute to
• Participate in
• Partner on

Example:

Several departments collaborated on the new training program.

When You Are Spending Time and Effort

Use:

• Dedicate time to
• Put effort into
• Invest time in
• Spend time on

Example:

She invests time in developing her leadership skills.

Common Mistakes When Replacing Work On

Using a synonym does not automatically make a sentence better. The replacement needs to match the intended meaning.

Using Develop for Every Task

“Develop” works well when something is being created or improved, but it is not appropriate for every activity.

Instead of:

I am developing the email.

A more natural sentence is:

I am drafting the email.

Using Handle for Creative Work

“Handle” emphasizes responsibility or management.

Instead of:

I am handling the new logo.

Say:

I am designing the new logo.

“Designing” explains the actual activity.

Using Address for a Project

“Address” usually refers to an issue, problem, concern, or need.

Instead of:

We are addressing a new marketing campaign.

Say:

We are developing a new marketing campaign.

Using Casual Expressions in Formal Writing

Expressions such as “dig into” and “dive into” can be engaging, but they may sound too informal in an academic paper.

Casual:

The researchers dug into the data.

Formal:

The researchers conducted a detailed analysis of the data.

Confusing Focus With Completion

“Focus on” means to give attention to something. It does not necessarily mean the work will be completed.

For example:

We are focusing on the new website.

does not necessarily mean:

We are completing the new website.

Choose your wording according to the actual situation.

How to Avoid Repeating Work On in Writing

One of the easiest ways to improve your writing is to identify the exact action taking place.

Instead of:

I am working on the presentation.

Write:

I am preparing the presentation.

Instead of:

We are working on the problem.

Write:

We are addressing the problem.

Instead of:

She is working on her skills.

Write:

She is developing her skills.

Instead of:

They are working on a new product.

Write:

They are developing a new product.

Instead of:

The team is working on the final details.

Write:

The team is refining the final details.

These changes make your writing more descriptive and reduce unnecessary repetition.

Cultural Notes: US, UK, and Global English

The phrase “work on” is standard throughout American, British, Canadian, Australian, and international English. Most of its alternatives are also widely understood, but certain expressions may vary in frequency or naturalness.

American English

American English commonly uses:

• Work on
• Focus on
• Handle
• Deal with
• Develop
• Improve
• Tackle
• Work toward

For example:

We’re working on a new product.

is completely natural in American English.

British English

British English uses many of the same expressions, including:

• Work on
• Develop
• Address
• Undertake
• Focus on
• Deal with
• Work toward

“Undertake” can appear frequently in formal British institutional and business writing.

Global English

For international communication, straightforward terms are usually the safest.

Expressions such as develop, improve, focus on, address, manage, and work toward are widely understood.

More idiomatic expressions such as “dig into” and “dive into” can also be understood internationally, but they may be less suitable for formal global business communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best other ways to say “work on”?

Some of the most useful alternatives are develop, improve, focus on, address, handle, manage, refine, pursue, collaborate on, contribute to, tackle, and work toward.

What is a professional way to say “work on”?

Professional alternatives include focus on, develop, address, manage, improve, refine, collaborate on, contribute to, and make progress on.

What is a formal way to say “work on”?

Formal alternatives include undertake, pursue, engage in, devote effort to, address, develop, and make progress on.

What is a casual way to say “work on”?

Casual alternatives include deal with, take care of, get into, put time into, spend time on, and keep at.

What can I say instead of “working on a project”?

Depending on the context, you can say:

• Developing a project
• Managing a project
• Contributing to a project
• Focusing on a project
• Making progress on a project
• Collaborating on a project

What is another way to say “I am working on it”?

You can say:

• I am handling it.
• I am taking care of it.
• I am addressing it.
• I am making progress on it.
• I am working toward a solution.
• I am currently developing it.

The best option depends on what “it” refers to.

What is another way to say “work on yourself”?

You can use expressions such as:

• Improve yourself
• Focus on personal growth
• Develop yourself
• Invest in yourself
• Focus on self-improvement
• Work toward personal growth

For example:

I’m focusing on personal growth this year.

What is a better word than “worked on” for a resume?

Strong resume alternatives include developed, managed, created, improved, implemented, designed, coordinated, contributed to, led, and executed.

Choose a verb that accurately describes your contribution.

Can “work on” mean “fix”?

Yes, depending on the context. “Work on” can mean to attempt to repair or resolve something.

For example:

The technician is working on the computer.

A more precise version would be:

The technician is repairing the computer.

Is “focus on” the same as “work on”?

Not exactly. “Focus on” emphasizes attention, while “work on” emphasizes effort or activity.

For example:

We are focusing on customer satisfaction.

means customer satisfaction is receiving priority.

We are working on customer satisfaction.

means efforts are being made to improve it.

Final Thoughts on Other Ways to Say Work On

Learning other ways to say work on can make your English more precise, professional, natural, and engaging. Although “work on” is a perfectly correct and extremely useful expression, it is also broad. A more specific alternative can tell your reader exactly what you are doing.

For formal writing, alternatives such as develop, address, undertake, pursue, engage in, and devote effort to can create a polished tone. For professional and business communication, focus on, manage, handle, improve, refine, collaborate on, and contribute to are particularly useful. For casual communication, expressions such as deal with, take care of, put time into, and spend time on sound natural. For friendly and creative writing, dive into, dig into, build on, work toward, and invest time in can make your language more engaging.

The key is to choose the alternative according to the exact action. If you are creating something, use develop. If you are solving a problem, use address or tackle. If you are improving something, use improve or refine. If you are working with other people, use collaborate on. If you are moving toward a goal, use work toward or pursue.

The next time you write “work on,” consider whether a more precise verb can communicate your idea more effectively. A small change in word choice can make your emails, resumes, reports, articles, and everyday conversations much stronger.

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Zoe H.

Zoe H. is a USA-based content writer and language enthusiast behind Synonminfo, where she focuses on helping readers discover better ways to express ideas through clear and simple language. With a strong interest in vocabulary development and effective communication, she creates easy-to-understand guides on synonyms, alternative phrases, and everyday writing improvements. Her work is designed to help students, writers, and professionals avoid repetition and communicate more precisely, as using varied word choices enhances clarity and engagement in any type of writing . Through her articles, Zoe aims to make learning new words practical, accessible, and useful for real-life communication.