i worked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I worked for" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when discussing a job or an organization that someone has worked for in the past. Example: "I worked for a marketing agency last summer, where I gained valuable experience in social media management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

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 Sinclair.

The Washington Post

"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 Mike Pence.

The Washington Post

I worked for Charlie Bludhorn.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I worked for", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration and nature of your employment or service to provide a comprehensive understanding to the listener or reader.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "I worked for" without specifying the organization or individual. Saying just "I worked for it" can lack clarity; clarify what "it" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I worked for" functions as a statement of past employment or affiliation. Ludwig's examples show it's used to directly indicate a past work relationship with an entity, as evidenced in sentences like "I worked for Google for two years."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I worked for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express past employment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile enough for both professional and casual contexts, predominantly appearing in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the organization or individual you worked for. Alternatives like "I was employed by" can provide a more formal tone, while "I dedicated my time to" emphasizes commitment. Remember, Ludwig provides numerous examples to guide proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was employed by

Replaces "worked for" with a more formal synonym "employed by".

I was an employee of

A more formal and direct way of stating past employment.

I used to work at

Indicates a past work relationship, focusing on the location of employment.

My previous employer was

Focuses on identifying the former employer rather than the act of working.

I served at

Suggests a formal role or position, often in public service or a significant organization.

I dedicated my time to

Shifts the focus to the dedication of time, which can be for an organization or cause.

I was once part of

Indicates membership or involvement with an organization in the past.

I was associated with

Implies a connection or affiliation with an organization, not necessarily direct employment.

I labored for

Replaces "worked" with a more evocative synonym "labored", implying hard work.

I contributed to

Highlights the contribution made to an organization or project.

FAQs

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

Use "I worked for" to indicate past employment, such as "I worked for a technology company for five years" or "I worked for a local charity during my summer break".

What's a more formal way to say "I worked for"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I was employed by" or "I served as an employee of" /s/I+was+employed+by depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "I worked for" to emphasize dedication?

To emphasize dedication, you could say "I dedicated my time to" or "I committed myself to" /s/I+dedicated+my+time+to the organization.

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

You can add a time frame, such as "I worked for that company for five years" or "I worked for them from 2010 to 2015".