There are some words in English, and probably every language, that are similar in meaning, but different in usage and grammar. I actually created a course on a list of words that I am constantly asked about by students. Since I made that course, I’ve thought of other words that should be in it. WORK and JOB are two words that need to be explained. That’s why I’m writing this blog.

Let’s have a look at the difference between WORK and JOB.

Firstly, WORK is the only one which is a verb. So, I can say:

• I work as a teacher.
• She works overseas.
• He doesn’t work in an office.
• They didn’t work for themselves.

A second important fact is that both JOB and WORK are nouns. Except, and this is an important difference, JOB is a countable noun and WORK in uncountable. Therefore, I can say:

• I have one job. (Notice that I can count it with numbers eg one)
• I have two jobs. (Notice the -s for plural countable nouns)
• I have a lot of jobs. (Notice the -s for plural countable nouns)

However, WORK is uncountable and therefore used differently. Because it is uncountable, there is no plural noun, and we cannot use ‘one/two/a’.

• I have a lot of work. (Notice there is no -s for plural)

Now let me explain something that can be a bit more confusing. Sometimes, we use ‘work’ as a location. For example, I’m going to school. In this example, school is a location. I can do the same for WORK.

• I’m going to (my) work. (noun – it’s a location)
• Work is closing early today.

I hope you enjoyed that. It was a challenge to explain it. Check out my blogs on other confusing words like Pain, Hurt and Sore, or Confusing Words: Get. Vocabulary is such an interesting topic!