Can I use "work to" as a synonym of "make an effort to"?

Question

In my native language, we use the verb for "work" + the infinitive marker to indicate that someone is making an effort/striving/endeavouring/trying to do something. To me, it seems that all these expressions (make an effort, strive, endeavour, try) have a very strong sense of 'doing one's best, but with a strong possibility of not succeeding', but I need a more neutral expression. So, now I'm wondering whether it is possible to use "work" in this sense in English too; more specifically, would the following examples be idiomatic, or is there another verb that would be a better fit?

In the following months, we will work to establish cooperation with X.

They will work to create a more tolerant workplace.

They promised to work to increase the number of sustainable options.

Answer 1

Question:

**To me, it seems that all these expressions (make an effort, strive, endeavour, try) have a very strong sense of 'doing one's best, but with a strong possibility of not succeeding', but I need a more neutral expression. **

work to do something is fine in English.

But I think what you want is: to work towards something. It's followed by a gerund: We'll work towards creating a more tolerant workplace.

work towards something means you haven't yet reached a particular goal.

Answer 2

Yes, these are all correct and idiomatic in English. In these expressions, the word "work" essentially means "to exert effort," and the to-infinitive expresses the purpose of that effort.