actor
IPA: /ˈæktə/
a person who performs in plays or films
English vocabulary by topic
Jobs and professions in English
Job titles for introductions, conversations about work and explaining what a person does.
Go to the wordsHow to talk about jobs
Many English job titles end in -er or -or, as in teacher, driver, actor and director. The ending can help you recognise a word, but a short sentence about the person’s work makes it easier to remember.
Use What do you do? to ask about someone’s job. A singular job title normally needs an article in the answer: I am a teacher.
Vocabulary
Words in this topic
Use the speaker icon to hear each word in British English.
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artist
IPA: /ˈɑːtɪst/
a person who creates art
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builder
IPA: /ˈbɪldə/
a person who constructs or repairs buildings
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businessman
IPA: /ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn/
a man who works in business
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cook
IPA: /kʊk/
a person who prepares food
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director
IPA: /dɪˈrɛktə/
a person who manages an organisation or production
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doctor
IPA: /ˈdɒktə/
a person trained to treat illness
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driver
IPA: /ˈdraɪvə/
a person who drives a vehicle
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engineer
IPA: /ˌɛndʒɪˈnɪə/
a person who designs or builds machines and systems
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farmer
IPA: /ˈfɑːmə/
a person who works on or manages a farm
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teacher
IPA: /ˈtiːtʃə/
a person who helps others learn
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writer
IPA: /ˈraɪtə/
a person who writes books or articles
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How to remember these words
- Group the jobs by workplace: school, hospital, office and construction site.
- Name one typical action for every profession.
- Practise He is a… and She is a… with different job titles.
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Useful phrases
What do you do? — I’m an engineer.
Her father works as a doctor.
The driver starts work early.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How do I ask someone about their job?
The neutral everyday question is What do you do? In a formal context, you may hear What is your occupation?
Does a profession need an article?
A singular profession normally takes a or an: a doctor and an actor.
Do English professions have separate female forms?
Most modern English job titles are gender-neutral: teacher, doctor and engineer can describe anyone. Businessman refers to a man; businessperson is the neutral alternative.
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