work on an island vs work in an island

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Work on an island' is used when referring to working on the island itself, such as building or repairing things. 'Work in an island' is used when referring to working within the boundaries of the island, such as having a job or business there.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 1005 views

work on an island

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to working on the island itself, such as construction or maintenance work.

This phrase is used when someone is working directly on the island, like building structures, repairing roads, or landscaping.

Examples:

I have a job to work on an island resort next summer.
The construction workers will work on the island for the next few months.
She enjoys working on an island because of the peaceful environment.

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I'm lucky enough to work on the island of Curaçao, where we still have reefs that look like this.
Does nothing work on this bloody island?
I mean, we're talking about random details about track work on the long island railroad in 1988.
It seems a very good idea that there should be small- and medium-sized enterprises that are able to tender for and compete for road maintenance work on islands of that kind.
We need to reassure those who live and work on these vulnerable islands and remote peninsulas that they have nothing to fear from bringing a measure of competition into the process for awarding these contracts.
You have a contract and it says you will work until Island Towers is finalized.
I don't know how it works on the little island where you come from, but here it sends a message!
Lena, "wouldn't you know it, they were doing track work on the rock island line..."
I've seen army suppliers at work in Long Island.
We work our way, it'd take us a month just to work through Long Island.
His family used to work summers on the island.
Word is, he's fresh meat from the mainland, which means he has no clue how this island works.
Last I'd heard, you'd left the Foreign Service and moved to Rhode Island to work in a deli.
The inhabitants would like to be able to continue to work towards preserving their island's priceless environment and heritage and maintaining their quality of life.
I start at the tip of the island and work up to the port.
Despite being at an experimental stage, its work in the Canary Islands, in the large area of sea surrounding the Canary Islands, has been effective.
So you never told me how you finally got Virginia Island to work?
Have them start on the south end of the island and work their way up, all right?
Moreover, this initiative would create new work opportunities for the island's residents, providing a cultural attraction for the entire surrounding area and genuine opportunities for exchanges with visitors.
Look, that may work in Staten Island, but that's not how we do things here.

Alternatives:

work on the island
work on islands
work on a remote island
work on a tropical island
work on a deserted island

work in an island

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to working within the boundaries of the island, such as having a job or business there.

This phrase is used when someone is working within the island, like having a job, running a business, or conducting research.