Meaning of work

[Gorgonzolla]

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #10 "Late at the Office", question 8

But it didn't function at all because again and again Mary found herself signing below the famous line.

(a) function
(b) again and again
(c) herself
(d) below

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #10 "Late at the Office", answer 8

But it didn't work at all because again and again Mary found herself signing below the famous line.

Correct entry: work
The error was: (a) function
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I am not sure my answer is right or wrong? can you check it and explain it for me? Many thanks

[Alan]

Hi Gorgonzolla,

The verb work has lots of meanings but in this particular sentence it means it didn't have the right effect. For example if your neighbours make a lot of noise and always play loud music late at night, you could visit them and ask them very politely to be quieter. If they still continue to make a lot of noise, you could say that your visit didn't work - it didn't have any effect.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Relative Pronoun