Work and works

The sentence is OK. It could mean that a single contractor carried out all the works you refer to. It could also mean that the works you refer to were carried out by the same contractor as some other, different works. In practice, it will probably be clear from the context which is meant.

I'd say "jobs were performed" in the example you describe.

"Work" in this sense is uncountable.

The countable "works" has a special meaning.

"The Public Works Department"

"The Water Works"

"She blew up the whole works!"

"I can't fix this watch. The works are completely worn out."

Avangi"Work" in this sense is uncountable.

But "works" is used for certain types of work, such as construction work, repair work or maintenance work. I assumed that was what was meant.

Hi, MrWordy,

I wonder if this could be a BrE/AmE sort of thing?

Are you suggesting a man might say, "The works I enjoy doing are carpentry, masonry, and plumbing." ?

Best regards, - A.

shkaniHello!Is it correct to use "The works were carried out by the same contractor"? Here works were used to denote same type of job at more than one place.

I think if this were acceptable, we could also say, "We did a work in Boston yesterday, and another one in New York last week."
Or, ". . . and the same one in New York last week."

I believe

AvangiI wonder if this could be a BrE/AmE sort of thing?

Right, I didn't consider that.

AvangiAre you suggesting a man might say, "The works I enjoy doing are carpentry, masonry, and plumbing." ?

No. Do you use the term "road works" in the States? It's more like that. Typical Googled examples:

"Garrett Emmerson, Chi

Avangi I think if this were acceptable, we could also say, "We did a work in Boston yesterday, and another one in New York last week."
Or, ". . . and the same one in New York last week."

In my lingo, no.

I'm not 100% sure, MrWordy.

I presume the usage existed in the past, because we still have "The Public Works Department."

But I personally haven't heard the examples you cite, and I'm no spring chicken.

Ach! My edit is stuck again!

"Public Works" may be a fixed expression.

"Twenty million has been set aside for public works." (We would not say, "for a public work.")

If it were one project, we'd say, "For a public works project."

edited