I worked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I worked for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate employment or service provided to a person, organization, or company in the past. Example: "I worked for a non-profit organization that focused on environmental conservation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I worked for the government.

The New York Times

I worked for 29 years.

The New York Times

"I worked for them".

The New York Times

I worked for him".

The New Yorker

"I worked for eighteen years!" she said.

The New Yorker

"I worked for you hand and foot.

The New Yorker

He said I worked for assassins.

The New Yorker

I worked for others for 20 years.

The Economist

I worked for 30 years.

The Guardian

I worked for the Y.W.C.A.

The New York Times - Magazine

I worked for Sing Out magazine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I worked for" followed by the name of the company or person. To describe the role or work environment, add details using additional phrases.

Common error

Avoid using present tense when describing past employment. Saying "I work for" implies current employment, so "I worked for" should be used for past roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I worked for" functions as a statement of past employment or service. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It indicates that the speaker was previously employed by or provided services to a specific entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I worked for" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe past employment or service. Ludwig examples from diverse sources confirm its widespread usage in news, formal business settings, and general conversation. When using the phrase, it's important to specify the employer and timeframe for clarity. Given its authoritative acceptance and versatile application, "I worked for" remains a reliable choice in professional and personal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I did work for

Emphasizes that work was performed for someone.

I was employed by

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

I used to work at

Implies a past habit or routine of working at a particular place.

I was contracted by

Specifies that the work was performed under a contract.

I was a staff member of

Emphasizes membership within an organization's staff.

I held a position at

Stresses the specific role held within an organization.

I served as an employee at

Formal and emphasizes the role as an employee.

My former employer was

Focuses on identifying a past employer.

I labored for

More formal, emphasizes effort and exertion.

I contributed to

Highlights contributions made during work.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "I worked for"?

You can use alternatives like "I was employed by", "I used to work at", or "I was a staff member of" depending on the context.

How do I specify the duration of my employment after saying "I worked for"?

You can specify the duration by adding a phrase like "I worked for X company for Y years/months" or "I worked for X company from [start date] to [end date]".

Is it correct to say "I worked for myself"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "I worked for myself" indicates that you were self-employed or ran your own business.

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

"I worked for" indicates an employer-employee relationship, where you provided services to someone. "I worked with" implies collaboration on a project or task, without necessarily being employed by them.