used to work for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used to work for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone had a job in the past, but no longer works there. For example, "I used to work for ABC Corporation, but I now work for a different company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Koo used to work for Prada.

The New Yorker

He used to work for everybody".

The New York Times

He used to work for the OECD.

The Guardian

He used to work for Pontin's.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They used to work for Saddam".

The New York Times

I Used to Work for Google.

The New York Times

Putin used to work for her father.

Cornell University

"I heard he used to work for Christie".

The New Yorker

That's because Hancock used to work for George Osborne.

The Guardian

But Evangelos Roumeliotis used to work for Monica.

The New York Times

He used to work for a dot-com.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "used to work for" when the employment is definitively over. Avoid it if the person is on temporary leave or sabbatical.

Common error

Avoid using "use to work for" instead of "used to work for". The "d" is crucial to indicate past tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used to work for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating past employment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it accurately conveys that someone was previously employed by a specific entity. Examples show diverse contexts, ranging from personal anecdotes to formal reports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "used to work for" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate prior employment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is versatile, appropriate for various contexts ranging from news reports to academic papers, and maintains a neutral tone. The primary function is to provide background information, and its high frequency in reputable sources reinforces its reliability. When using this phrase, remember to use the correct tense ("used" not "use") and, if relevant, provide a timeframe for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Once worked for

Using "once" emphasizes that the employment was at some point in the past.

Worked at previously

This is a more succinct way of saying someone worked at a place in the past.

My former employer was

This indicates a prior employment relationship from the speaker's perspective.

Formerly employed by

This alternative offers a more formal tone, emphasizing the past employment.

Had a previous role at

Focuses on the role the person had within the company.

Used to be an employee of

This alternative emphasizes employee status.

Was previously with

This phrase is slightly more ambiguous, it may also indicate affiliation instead of employment.

Held a position at

This alternative stresses that one had a specific position at the organization in the past.

Past employment at

This phrase is suitable for formal contexts like resumes or professional profiles.

Employed by in the past

This alternative emphasizes the employer's perspective and the time frame.

FAQs

How can I use "used to work for" in a sentence?

You can use "used to work for" to describe a previous employment. For example, "She "used to work for" a non-profit organization before joining the government."

What are some alternatives to "used to work for"?

Alternatives include "formerly employed by", "was previously with", or "once worked for". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "use to work for" instead of "used to work for"?

No, "use to work for" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "used to work for", where "used" indicates past tense.

What's the difference between "used to work for" and "working for"?

"Used to work for" indicates a past employment relationship that has ended. "Working for" indicates a current employment relationship. For example, "He "used to work for" Apple, but now he is "working for" Google."