Phrasal Verb: Work out

English loves to combine simple verbs with small words. We call these small words particles. For this rule, we take the verb work. Then we add the particle out. Together, they create a brand new meaning. This new meaning is different from just work. It is not about your job at an office. It is about a process or a result. Sometimes, you can put a word between work and out. For example, you can work a problem out. Other times, they stay together. If you are talking about the gym, they always stay together. You just say, "I work out." It is like a little team. They perform better when they are together. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes. Just remember the context. The context tells you the meaning. It is like a grammar traffic light. It guides you in the right direction.

1. 1Using work out is quite simple. There are three main ways to build a sentence with it.
2. 2For exercise: Subject + work out. Example: "I work out."
3. 3For solving things: Subject + work out + Object. Example: "I work out the answer."
4. 4For splitting the words: Subject + work + Object + out. Example: "I work the answer out."
5. 5If the object is a pronoun like it, you must split them. You must say "work it out." You cannot say "work out it." That sounds very strange to an English ear! It is like putting your socks over your shoes. It just doesn't fit. Always keep your pronouns in the middle. For regular nouns, you can choose. You can say "work out the price" or "work the price out." Both are perfect. You are the boss of your sentences!

Scenario 1: The Gym. Use this when you lift weights. Use it when you run on a treadmill. It means you are making your body stronger. If you see someone with big muscles, they probably work out a lot.

Scenario 2: Math and Money. Imagine you are at a restaurant. You need to split the bill with three friends. You need to work out the cost for each person. This means you are calculating the numbers. It is very common in job interviews too. A boss might ask you to work out a solution to a problem.

Scenario 3: Success and Results. Sometimes plans are difficult. Maybe you are traveling to a new city. You don't have a hotel yet. You hope everything works out. This means you hope everything ends well. It is a very positive way to speak. It shows you are optimistic.

Scenario 4: Understanding People. Sometimes people are a mystery. You might say, "I can't work him out." This means you don't understand his personality. It is like he is a difficult puzzle.

Do not use work out for your regular job. If you sit at a desk from 9 to 5, you work. You do not work out at your desk. Unless you are doing push-ups while typing! That would be impressive but very weird.

Do not use it for simple homework tasks. Usually, you do your homework. You only work out the specific hard problems inside the homework.

Do not use it for physical movement out of a building. If you leave your office, you walk out or go out. You do not work out of the room. That would mean you are exercising while leaving. Your colleagues might be very confused!

One big mistake is the spelling. Work out (two words) is a verb. It is an action. Workout (one word) is a noun. It is a thing. You work out (action) to have a good workout (thing). It is a tiny difference. But it matters in writing!

Another mistake is the pronoun placement. As we said, never say "work out it." Always say "work it out." Think of the pronoun as a sandwich filling. It has to go in the middle of the bread.

Some people use work out when they mean find. For example, "I work out my keys." This is wrong. You find your keys. You work out a plan or a math problem. Use it for things that require brain power or muscle power.

Work out vs. Exercise: Exercise is a bit formal. Work out is very common and friendly. You can use both. But in a conversation, work out sounds more natural.

Work out vs. Solve: Solve is great for crimes or mysteries. Work out is better for math or daily life plans. You solve a murder. You work out how to get to the airport.

Work out vs. Figure out: These are very similar! You can often use both. Figure out is mostly about thinking. Work out can be about thinking or physical exercise. If you are at the gym, you cannot say "I am figuring out." That makes no sense!