Explanation at your level:
Worked is the past of work. If you did a job yesterday, you worked. 'I worked yesterday.' It is very simple. Use it when you talk about your past actions. 'She worked at the store.' It is a very useful word for your daily life.
Use worked to talk about things you finished. 'I worked on my project for two hours.' You can also use it for machines. 'My phone worked well today.' It is a regular verb, so it is easy to learn. Just add -ed to work.
At this level, you can use worked to describe professional achievements or problem-solving. 'The strategy worked perfectly.' You will also see it in phrasal verbs like 'work out' (to exercise or to solve a problem). It is essential for describing your work history in interviews.
Worked is used in more complex sentences to show cause and effect. 'Because we worked together, we finished early.' You can also use it in passive voice: 'The project was worked on by the whole team.' It adds nuance to your storytelling and professional communication.
In advanced English, worked can be used figuratively. 'He worked his way into the company' suggests a slow, deliberate climb. You will also see it in academic writing to describe the development of theories: 'The researchers worked through the data.' It shows a high level of control over past tense narratives.
At a mastery level, worked is used in idiomatic expressions that convey deep effort or subtle outcomes. 'He worked the crowd' implies a sophisticated manipulation of an audience. Understanding the etymological connection between 'work' and 'action' allows you to use this word in literary contexts to describe the 'working' of a person's mind or the 'working' of fate.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Worked is the past tense of work.
- It signifies effort or functioning correctly.
- It is pronounced with a 't' sound at the end.
- It is a versatile, high-frequency verb.
Hey there! Worked is the past tense of the verb 'work.' Think of it as the action of putting in energy, time, or effort to get something done. Whether you were scrubbing floors, studying for a test, or fixing a broken bike, if you put in the effort, you worked.
It is also used to describe how things function. If your computer was acting up but now it is fine, you might say, 'It finally worked!' It is one of those super common words that we use every single day to talk about our jobs, our hobbies, and how things operate.
The word worked comes from the Old English word weorcan, which meant to perform, do, or make. It has deep roots in Germanic languages, sharing a history with the German word wirken. Over hundreds of years, the spelling evolved from worhte in Middle English to the modern worked we use today.
Interestingly, the root of this word is connected to the concept of 'action' rather than just 'labor.' In history, it wasn't just about hard manual labor; it meant bringing something into existence through deliberate effort. It is fascinating how a word that started as a simple description of doing something has become the backbone of how we describe our professional and personal lives.
You will use worked in almost every professional setting. In a casual conversation, you might say, 'I worked late yesterday.' In a more formal report, you might write, 'The team worked diligently to meet the deadline.'
Common collocations include phrases like 'worked hard,' 'worked together,' and 'worked out.' Notice how the context changes the meaning slightly. When you say 'it worked out,' you mean a situation resolved itself successfully. When you say 'I worked on it,' you mean you spent time improving something. It is a versatile word that fits into almost any register.
Idioms are fun ways to use this word! First, worked up means to become angry or excited. Second, worked like a charm means something performed perfectly. Third, worked my fingers to the bone means to work extremely hard. Fourth, worked over means to beat someone up or criticize them harshly. Finally, worked in means to find time or space for something in a busy schedule.
Grammatically, worked is a regular verb. You simply add '-ed' to the base form 'work.' In terms of pronunciation, it is a bit tricky! Even though it ends in 'ed,' it is pronounced like a 't' sound: /wɜːrkt/. Don't say 'work-ed' with two syllables; keep it to one.
It rhymes with words like jerked, perked, and lurked. Remember, the stress is always on the single syllable. It is a very straightforward word, but that 't' sound at the end is the secret to sounding like a native speaker!
Fun Fact
It is one of the most common verbs in the English language.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'ur' sound followed by a crisp 'kt' ending.
Rhotic 'r' with a sharp 'kt' finish.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as two syllables (work-ed)
- Adding an extra 'id' sound at the end
- Confusing the 't' sound with a 'd' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Easy to use in sentences
Requires attention to the 't' sound
Can be confused with other words
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Past Tense Regular Verbs
work -> worked
Phrasal Verbs
work out, work on
Adverb Placement
worked hard
Examples by Level
I worked yesterday.
I / performed labor / the day before today
Past tense verb
She worked hard.
She / put in effort
Adverb usage
He worked at school.
He / was at school / doing tasks
Preposition 'at'
We worked together.
We / did tasks / as a team
Adverb 'together'
They worked all day.
They / were busy / from morning to night
Time expression
The lamp worked.
The lamp / turned on / correctly
Verb for machines
I worked on my car.
I / fixed / my vehicle
Phrasal verb 'work on'
You worked well.
You / did a good job
Adverb 'well'
I worked for that company for five years.
The plan worked exactly as we hoped.
She worked late to finish the report.
He worked in the garden all morning.
We worked through the weekend.
The medicine worked quickly.
They worked their way to the top.
I worked out at the gym.
The team worked collaboratively to solve the issue.
It was a long process, but it finally worked.
She worked as a consultant for several years.
The engine worked fine until it ran out of gas.
He worked his charm on the investors.
We worked out the details of the contract.
They worked off their debt over time.
I worked around the technical limitations.
The artist worked with various materials to create the sculpture.
He worked under pressure to meet the tight deadline.
The new policy worked to improve employee morale.
She worked tirelessly to achieve her goals.
They worked out a compromise that pleased everyone.
The system worked efficiently despite the high traffic.
I worked through my frustrations by writing.
He worked his way into a management position.
The diplomat worked behind the scenes to secure the peace treaty.
She worked the crowd with ease, gaining their trust.
The machine worked with surgical precision.
They worked through the complexity of the legal challenge.
He worked his magic on the failing project.
The theory worked in practice, not just in theory.
We worked the data until we found the error.
She worked her way through the difficult curriculum.
The clockwork mechanism worked with an ancient, rhythmic grace.
He worked the levers of power to his own advantage.
The subtle nuances of the play worked on the audience's emotions.
They worked the land for generations, honoring their heritage.
She worked through the grief with quiet resilience.
The negotiation worked out in our favor, albeit unexpectedly.
He worked the room like a seasoned politician.
The artistic vision worked itself into the final design.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"work like a dog"
to work very hard
I had to work like a dog to finish.
casual"work one's tail off"
to work extremely hard
He worked his tail off for that degree.
casual"work wonders"
to have a very good effect
A little rest will work wonders.
neutral"work up a sweat"
to exert oneself physically
I worked up a sweat at the gym.
neutral"work against the clock"
to rush to finish something
We worked against the clock all day.
neutral"work out the kinks"
to fix small problems
We need to work out the kinks in the plan.
neutralEasily Confused
similar spelling
walked is movement, worked is effort
I walked to work, then I worked.
similar sound
waked is about sleeping
I waked up early.
confused with 'work'
worked is past, work is present
I work now, I worked then.
archaic form
wrought is very formal/literary
He wrought a masterpiece.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + worked + hard
She worked hard today.
Subject + worked + with + object
I worked with my team.
Subject + worked + on + task
We worked on the report.
Subject + worked + for + time
He worked for ten years.
Subject + worked + out + solution
They worked out the problem.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
You must use the past tense for actions finished in the past.
The word is spelled 'worked', not 'worked'.
Do not add -ed to an already past participle form.
Hard is an adverb here; hardly means 'almost not'.
The preposition 'for' is not needed at the end.
Tips
Say It Right
End with a 't' sound, not 'ed'.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a regular verb, so it is easy to conjugate!
Study Smart
Keep a list of phrasal verbs with 'work'.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it to explain why something is fixed.
Did You Know?
It is one of the most used verbs in English.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'work-ed' with two syllables.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the value of hard work.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine your boss saying 'Good job, you worked hard!'
Context Matters
It changes meaning with prepositions like 'on' or 'out'.
Practice
Write a journal entry about your day using this word.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Work-ed: I worked, so I'm done (the 'ed' is the 'end' of the work).
Visual Association
A person wiping sweat off their forehead after finishing a task.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about what you worked on yesterday.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To perform, do, or make
Cultural Context
None
The concept of 'working hard' is highly valued in American and British culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- worked late
- worked together
- worked on a project
at school
- worked on homework
- worked in groups
- worked hard
fixing things
- it worked
- it finally worked
- worked on the engine
exercise
- worked out
- worked up a sweat
- worked my muscles
Conversation Starters
"What have you worked on recently?"
"Do you prefer to work alone or with others?"
"Have you ever worked on a project that didn't work out?"
"What is the hardest you have ever worked?"
"How do you feel when you have worked all day?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you worked hard to achieve a goal.
Write about a machine or tool that worked perfectly for you.
What is a job you worked at that you enjoyed?
Reflect on a time when a plan didn't work out.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is always spelled 'worked'.
Just one!
Yes, it means the machine functioned correctly.
Yes, it follows the standard -ed rule.
The present tense is 'work'.
Rarely, usually as 'overworked' or 'hard-worked'.
It fits in both formal and informal contexts.
Yes, but 'labored' is more formal.
Test Yourself
I ___ all day yesterday.
Past tense is needed.
Which sentence is correct?
Correct spelling of past tense.
The word 'worked' has two syllables.
It is pronounced with one syllable.
Word
Meaning
Matching meanings.
Subject + verb + adverb.
Score: /5
Summary
Worked is the essential past tense verb for describing effort, labor, and successful performance.
- Worked is the past tense of work.
- It signifies effort or functioning correctly.
- It is pronounced with a 't' sound at the end.
- It is a versatile, high-frequency verb.
Say It Right
End with a 't' sound, not 'ed'.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a regular verb, so it is easy to conjugate!
Study Smart
Keep a list of phrasal verbs with 'work'.
When Native Speakers Use It
We use it to explain why something is fixed.
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