someone I work with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "someone I work with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a colleague or coworker in a casual or formal context. Example: "I had a great conversation with someone I work with about our upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I keep seeing someone I work with on the Tube in the morning.

Independent

It sounds right to me, but someone I work with told me that you can't believe everything you read on the Internet.

The New Yorker

"I didn't want to date someone I work with because so many show business romances, which we call 'showmances' on Broadway, go wrong," Mr. Growler said.

The New York Times

"Someone I work with went through Priceline for a three-day weekend to Florida," said Melissa Shore, an analyst with Jupiter Communications, an Internet research firm.

The New York Times - Travel

But afterwards I called up someone I work with, who had read it simultaneously, and they tapped me into looking at it a different way.

The Guardian - Film

And then the weirdest part was he claimed he knew someone I work with and said, 'You know, it's funny, when you first started, people hated you, and now they love working with you.' " It was not an atypical exchange.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Very often I give away shoes or hats to someone I worked with.

The New York Times - Travel

"I pulled up alongside and it was someone I worked with," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I liked him a lot but didn't want to date someone I worked with".

The New York Times

"There is someone I worked with at the restaurant who went to school for music," he says.

The New York Times

Many moons ago, it was brought to my attention that someone I worked with had made an offensive remark about me behind my back.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "someone I work with" when you want to refer to a colleague without specifying their exact role or title.

Common error

In formal writing, consider using more precise terms like "colleague" or "associate" instead of "someone I work with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "someone I work with" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It refers to an unspecified individual within one's professional environment, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "someone I work with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to refer to a colleague or coworker. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While it's a neutral term, formal situations might benefit from more precise alternatives like "colleague" or "associate". Using this phrase effectively involves considering the context and aiming for clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a colleague

A more formal and concise alternative.

a coworker

A more informal and direct synonym.

an associate

Implies a professional connection, often in business.

a fellow employee

Highlights shared employment in the same organization.

a workmate

A more casual term, common in British English.

a team member

Emphasizes collaboration and shared goals.

a professional contact

Focuses on the professional aspect of the relationship.

an office colleague

Specifies that the person works in the same office.

a staff member

Highlights the person's role within the organization.

a peer at work

Indicates someone at a similar level in the workplace.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "someone I work with"?

You can use alternatives like "a colleague", "a coworker", or "an associate" depending on the context.

Is "someone I work with" formal or informal?

The phrase "someone I work with" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal terms like "colleague" may be preferable in certain situations.

How do I use "someone I work with" in a sentence?

You can use "someone I work with" to introduce a colleague or to refer to them in a narrative. For example, "I discussed the project with someone I work with."

What's the difference between "someone I work with" and "someone I used to work with"?

"Someone I work with" refers to a current colleague, while "someone I used to work with" refers to a former colleague. The tense indicates whether the person is a current or past member of your workplace.