The words job and work are among the most common words in English, along with business and company. All the words (except company) come from Old English, a language spoken from the fifth to the twelfth century. The concept of work, and its organization, may predate humans and may have been the key factor in differentiating humans from other animals. In the earliest stages of civilization, work involved the most basic of human needs: food, child care, and shelter. A division of labor likely resulted when some individuals showed proficiency in particular activities.

On the subject of work, what's the difference between these words?

• part-time and temporary work
• to work in something and to work on something
• to have a full-time job and to work long hours

Any ideas? The best way to know if you fully understand something is to try explaining it to someone in English. 

Here are the answers:

• part-time: work a few hours or a few days a week; temporary: work that lasts a short time, just a few weeks or months
• in: you work in an industry or a type of job, e.g., in sales; on: you work on a project, e.g., I’m working on a sales pitch for a new product.
• full-time job: about 8 hours a day, 5 days a week; long hours: more than full time, e.g., 10 hours a day

That has been today's English Tip. Thank you for reading!