What is the difference between "job" and "work"?

[Muhammad Ashraf]

Test No. incompl/elem-2 "Money accepted", question 2

She is very happy because she starts her new ......... today.

(a) job
(b) work
(c) labour
(d) post

Test No. incompl/elem-2 "Money accepted", answer 2

She is very happy because she starts her new job today.

Correct answer: (a) job

Your answer was: incorrect
She is very happy because she starts her new work today.
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how can i improve the correct usage of words?

[Torsten]

Dear Muhammad,

Many thanks for taking part in our forum.
You see, many English words have similar meanings but in a certain context only one particular word is correct. Such is the case with the sentence you are referring to: Here we talk about a person's job - her contract with her employer. In this context the word job is more concrete than the word work describing a number of responsibilities and benefits.

As to your question on how to learn the proper use of English words - it's best when you try to memorize words in combination with other words, that is, you learn phrases (collocations, idioms, expressions etc.) instead of single words.
Please, let me know what you think.
Regards
Torsten

TOEIC listening, question-response: Why aren't you answering your phone?

[Santak]

Hello Mr. Torsten,
Can you give me an example where we can say that a "work is started"? Because I am confused whether a work is ever started, in my case I always use "task" for the purpose. Is that correct? Plese reply.
With Regards,
Santak Dalai

[Beeesneees]

Hello Santak,

'Task' is fine when you are talking about one particular thing.
'Work' can be a little more general.
I will be starting work in a few minutes, and expect to have completed a number of tasks by lunchtime.

Note that I didn't say 'I will be starting a work...'We don't use the article because 'work' is an uncountable noun. 'Task' is countable.
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Cheers m' dears!

[Alan]

Hi Santak,

We would use 'work' without 'a' when referring to an activity as in: Work has started on the building of a bridge across the river. The word is also used with 's' at the end as in: Roadworks on the motorway are causing serious traffic delays and also in: This edition contains the complete works of Shakespeare.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple