Work vs Job
Though the terms work and job are often used interchangeably, there is a distinction between them. The origin of the word work lies in the Old English word weorc, while the origin of the word job is believed to be from the mid-16th century. Both terms are used in various phrases and phrasal verbs in the English language.
What does Work mean?
Work typically refers to any muscular effort put into an action. In essence, work can be considered a subset of the word job, as you must work in a job to receive a salary. This means that you must exert physical effort to complete tasks given to you as part of a job. The term work can also be used as a verb.
What does Job mean?
Conversely, the term job refers to an occupation for which you receive a salary. This is the primary difference between work and job. It is not accurate to use the word work in place of job, as it may not convey the correct meaning. Unlike work, the word job cannot be used as a verb, and is primarily used as a noun.
Key Takeaways
- The word work refers to any muscular effort put into an action, while job refers to an occupation for which you receive a salary.
- Work can be considered a subset of the word job, as you must work in a job to receive a salary.
- Work can be used as a verb, while job is primarily used as a noun and cannot be used as a verb.
