Separable Object can go in the middle or after: "work it out" or "work out the problem"
Inseparable Object always goes after the particle — never in the middle.
Intransitive No object needed — the verb stands alone.
work outIntransitive
To exercise; to solve or figure out a problem; to turn out well in the end.
"I need to work out this problem before the meeting." / "Everything worked out in the end." / "She works out every morning at the gym."
work onInseparable
To spend time developing, improving, or practicing something; to try to persuade someone.
"He had been working on his app idea for two years." / "I'm working on my pronunciation."
work throughInseparable
To deal with a problem or set of challenges systematically; to process emotions over time.
"They spent three months working through the technical challenges one by one."
work upSeparable
To develop or build gradually; to excite or motivate; to produce with effort.
"She worked up the courage to speak in public." / "He worked up enthusiasm in the whole team."
work aroundInseparable
To find an alternative way to deal with an obstacle or limitation.
"We had to work around the unreliable internet connection in rural areas."
work inSeparable
To include something within a schedule or plan; to fit something in.
"Can we work in a team meeting between the two client calls?" / "She worked in a short break every two hours."
work up toInseparable
To gradually build toward a difficult goal, moment, or challenge.
"He spent a month working up to his first public presentation."
work againstInseparable
To act as a disadvantage; to oppose or hinder progress.
"Every obstacle seemed to work against them — investors, regulations, and competition."
work offSeparable
To eliminate something through physical activity; to pay off a debt through labor.
"He worked off his nervous energy by walking around the block." / "She worked off the debt over two years."
work towardInseparable
To make consistent progress in the direction of a goal.
"Sergio worked toward his launch date for two more years before the app was ready."
📖 Sergio's Startup
Sergio had been working on his app idea for two years before he finally decided to act on it. The app would connect local farmers in Guanacaste directly with buyers in San José. Simple in theory — much harder to work out in practice.
He spent the first three months working through the technical challenges with his co-founder Ana. They had to work around the unreliable internet in Liberia, finding solutions that didn't depend on constant connectivity. Every obstacle seemed to work against them — skeptical investors, confusing regulations, a crowded market.
But Sergio kept working up enthusiasm — in himself, in Ana, and in the small team they had built. He worked in short feedback sessions between development sprints, making sure the team heard from real farmers every week. It wasn't easy to work up to the first public demo; Sergio was terrified of public speaking, so he practiced every day for a month.
The night before the demo, he was too anxious to sleep. He worked off the nervous energy by walking around the neighborhood for an hour. The next morning, he walked into the room calm and focused.
The demo worked out better than anyone expected. Two investors committed on the spot. Sergio continued to work toward his launch date for two more years. The app launched to strong reviews. "Every obstacle you work through makes you stronger," he later told students at a local university.
