once worked for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once worked for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a previous employment or association with a person or organization. Example: "She once worked for a prestigious law firm before starting her own practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The islands were once worked for guano.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Large once worked for the company.

The New York Times

(Mr. Krieger also once worked for Mr. LaBute's production company).

The New York Times

Redic and Plant once worked for the rapper Snoop Dogg.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Lagerfeld once worked for Chloé, as did Stella McCartney.

The Economist

Dr. Friendly once worked for the Nazis at Auschwitz.

Stanford University

Mr. Huang once worked for Lippo's United States affiliate.

The New York Times

She also once worked for the State Senate majority leader.

The New York Times

Several of Mr. Davis's advisers once worked for Al Gore.

The New York Times

Each once worked for the same tough boss.

The New York Times - Sports

"True, I once worked for Gaddafi's security agency.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "once worked for", ensure the context clearly indicates the past nature of the employment. Avoid ambiguity by specifying dates or using other time-related qualifiers if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "once worked for" when referring to current employment. It should only be used for past roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once worked for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past employment relationship. As seen in Ludwig examples, it connects a person to a former employer, specifying that the employment is no longer current.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "once worked for" is a grammatically sound and common way to describe a past employment relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While adaptable for both formal and informal use, it's important to ensure the context clarifies the past tense. Related phrases like "previously employed by" and "formerly held a position at" offer more formal alternatives. Avoiding tense errors is crucial to maintain clarity. Overall, "once worked for" is a versatile and reliable phrase for indicating past employment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to work at

Informal alternative, uses "used to" to indicate a past habit or state.

previously was employed by

Formal alternative replacing "once" with "previously" and using the passive voice.

had a job with

Simple and direct alternative, focusing on the fact of having a job.

was an employee of

Formal and neutral alternative, stating the employment relationship.

formerly held a position at

More formal alternative, indicating a past role or job at a specific place.

was associated with

Broader term, indicating a connection or affiliation, not necessarily employment.

served at

Formal alternative, suggesting a service or duty performed at a place.

contributed to

Focuses on the contribution made during a period of work or association.

gained experience at

Highlights the experience gained during past employment.

began career with

Focuses on the start of a career at a particular organization.

FAQs

How do I use "once worked for" in a sentence?

Use "once worked for" to describe a past employment. For example, "He "once worked for" a large corporation before starting his own business."

What are some alternatives to saying "once worked for"?

You can use alternatives like "previously employed by", "formerly worked at", or "used to work for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "once worked for" or "works for"?

"Once worked for" indicates past employment, while "works for" indicates current employment. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the time frame.

Is it appropriate to use "once worked for" in formal writing?

Yes, "once worked for" is suitable for formal writing. However, more formal alternatives like "previously was employed by" may be preferred in certain contexts.