Grammar fix
work overtime
do extra hours at work
To stay at work and do more hours than your normal schedule, usually to finish tasks or earn extra money.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I often have to work overtime when there are big projects at the office.
In my previous job, I sometimes worked overtime to meet important deadlines, especially during busy periods.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I worked overtimes this week.
Say: I worked overtime this week.
'Overtime' is uncountable here — no 'overtimes'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
Natural; 'perform labour beyond contracted hours' is HR-policy language.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
work overtime
- do
- paid
- unpaid
- work overtime to