I worked

USAGE SUMMARY

'I worked' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of doing something in the past. For example: 'I worked all day yesterday to get the report finished on time.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I worked it out.

Independent

I worked at it.

The New Yorker

I worked yesterday".

The New York Times - Arts

I worked in licensing.

The New York Times

"I worked awfully hard.

The New York Times - Sports

I worked hard.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Oh, I worked.

The New York Times - Arts

I worked every day.

The New York Times

"I worked so hard".

The New York Times - Arts

I worked there.

The New York Times

I worked immediately.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I worked" to clearly and directly state your past work experience or effort in a variety of contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I worked" without providing sufficient context about the type of work, the duration, or the specific accomplishments. Providing details enhances the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I worked" functions as a statement of past action, indicating that the speaker engaged in some form of labor or activity. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

The New Yorker

12%

Less common in

Forbes

2%

Wikipedia

10%

Los Angeles Times

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I worked" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile phrase used to describe past employment, effort, or activity. Ludwig AI confirms that "I worked" is suitable for various contexts, as evidenced by its frequent occurrence in news articles, scientific publications, and general conversation. While direct and clear, providing context (e.g., "I worked as a teacher", or "I worked on the project for weeks") enhances its impact. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "I was employed" or "I carried out tasks" to tailor the meaning to specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was employed

Focuses on the state of being employed rather than the specific action of working.

I did my job

A more general and informal way of saying that one worked.

I performed duties

Emphasizes the fulfillment of responsibilities in a work context.

I carried out tasks

Highlights the completion of specific tasks or assignments.

I was on the job

Focuses on being present and active at work.

I labored

Implies hard or strenuous work.

I exerted myself

Highlights the effort and energy put into the work.

I dedicated my time

Emphasizes the commitment of time and effort to work.

I toiled

Similar to labored, suggesting long and arduous work.

I was active

Focuses on being busy with any activity but could also refer to the action of working.

FAQs

How can I use "I worked" in a sentence?

You can use "I worked" to describe a past job or task. For example, "I worked at a local grocery store during the summer," or "I worked hard to complete the project on time".

What are some alternatives to saying "I worked"?

Alternatives include "I was employed", "I performed duties", or "I carried out tasks", depending on the specific context.

Is "I worked" formal or informal?

"I worked" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the situation.

Which is more impactful, "I worked hard" or "I achieved significant results"?

While "I worked hard" shows effort, "I achieved significant results" focuses on the outcome. Depending on the context, you may want to highlight either the effort or the results. Ideally, combining both provides a complete picture: "I worked hard and achieved significant results".