I started working for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started working for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the beginning of employment with a company or organization. Example: "I started working for the company in June 2020."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

This was around the same time I started working for Social Bite.

The Guardian

When I started working for Richard Rogers, the River Café was like our canteen.

The Guardian - Arts

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eventually I had to speak English for money, as I started working for the BBC.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's what I brought, when I started working for him at Rowdy Hall," Mr. Smith said.

The New York Times

After getting my masters degree, I started working for BP as an economist.

The Guardian - Music

When I started working for Mayor Lindsay, in 1968, we were hit with the school strikes.

The New Yorker

In Paris 35 years ago I started working for Paris Metro, a biweekly city magazine enjoying a certain vogue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "I commenced employment with" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid implying a greater level of responsibility than you initially had. For instance, don't suggest you were in a leadership role from the start if you began in an entry-level position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started working for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of employment or association with an organization. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I started working for" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the beginning of employment with an organization. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, including news media, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "I began employment with" offer a more formal tone, the original phrase remains versatile and widely understood. Ensure clarity by always specifying the organization's name and avoid implying exaggerated responsibilities from the outset.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I commenced working at

A formal way to say you started working at a specific place.

I began employment with

Formal alternative indicating the start of one's job.

I joined the staff at

Highlights becoming a part of a team or organization.

I took a position at

Emphasizes accepting a specific role or job title.

I became an employee of

States the commencement of being employed by an entity.

My tenure began at

Formal way to express starting a period of employment.

I started my career with

Highlights the beginning of a professional path at a company.

I was hired by

Focuses on the act of being recruited and employed.

I entered service with

Formal and somewhat archaic way to express beginning employment.

I affiliated with

Indicates association or connection beyond just employment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I started working for" in a cover letter?

In a cover letter, you might use more formal alternatives such as "I commenced my employment with", "I joined", or "I took a position at depending on the context.

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

Yes, "I began working for" is a grammatically correct and often more formal alternative to "I started working for". They are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "I started working for" and "I worked for"?

"I started working for" indicates the beginning of your employment or association with an organization, while "I worked for" is a general statement about your past employment. For example, "I started working for that company in 2010, and I worked for them for five years."

Can I use "I started working for" when referring to freelance or contract work?

Yes, "I started working for" can be used to describe the beginning of a freelance or contract role, although you might also consider phrases like "I began consulting for depending on the specific arrangement".