I started work for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started work for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the beginning of employment with a specific company or organization. Example: "I started work for the new marketing agency last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I started work for a left-wing pensions advisory company.

The Guardian

I started work for a few months with a relatively small Italian bunker with an office in London, as a trainee trader there.

The Guardian

Personal assistant, from 1978 I didn't meet Thatcher until the day I started work for her, which was the 10 September 1978 when I went to the House of Commons as a package deal with David Wolfson.

The Guardian

"I started work for him in 1999 and learned what the business was about.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Eventually, I started working for a rodeo company in Del Rio.

The New York Times

When I returned to chemistry, I started working for John G. Kirkwood.

Harvard University

"So I started working for Lois Woodhull at the Plantage".

The New York Times

It's why I started working for myself 15 years ago.

The New York Times - Health

"I took her class, then I started working for her," Ms. McKay said.

The New York Times

I started working for the business publisher Dun & Bradstreet in the mid-1970s.

The New York Times

It's here that eBay stopped working for me, and I started working for eBay.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use it to clearly indicate the commencement of your employment with a specific organization, especially when narrating your career history or professional experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "I started work for" without specifying the company or organization. Instead of saying "I started work for a company", provide the company's name to give your statement more clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started work for" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating the commencement of employment with a specific entity. It serves to introduce a period of professional engagement, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I started work for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the beginning of employment with a specific organization. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While suitable for various contexts, it is advisable to specify the organization clearly and consider more formal alternatives for highly professional settings. Its prevalence in news and media sources underscores its widespread understanding and acceptance in general communication. Remember to avoid vague references and always specify the company for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began employment with

Uses a more formal term, "employment", instead of "work", and replaces "started" with "began".

I took up employment at

Implies actively seeking and obtaining employment.

I commenced working at

Replaces "started" with "commenced", which is more formal, and uses "at" instead of "for" with "working".

I took a position with

Emphasizes the acceptance of a specific position or role within the company.

I joined the team at

Indicates joining a team within the organization, rather than general employment.

I was appointed to

Suggests a more formal or official assignment to a role.

I was recruited by

Emphasizes being actively sought out by the organization for employment.

I was hired by

Focuses on the hiring aspect, indicating that the organization initiated the employment.

My career began at

Focuses on the start of a career path within the organization.

My first day at

Refers to the first day of work. It has a temporal meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "I started work for" in a sentence?

Use "I started work for" to indicate the beginning of your employment at a specific organization. For example, "I started work for a tech startup last year."

What is a more formal alternative to "I started work for"?

A more formal alternative is "I began employment with". This phrase is suitable for professional contexts and formal documents.

Is it correct to say "I started working for" instead of "I started work for"?

Yes, "I started working for" is also correct and frequently used. The choice between the two often depends on personal preference.

What's the difference between "I started work for" and "I began to work for"?

"I started work for" is a more direct and concise way of expressing the beginning of employment. "I began to work for" can sometimes imply a gradual start or a period of transitioning into the role.