work for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to be employed by a certain company or organization, or to strive to achieve or accomplish something. For example, "I'm working for a technology start-up in Silicon Valley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You work for peanuts.

The New Yorker

Work for the community.

The New York Times

10. Work for peace.

Independent

Work for it".

The New York Times

I work for Korzhakov.

The New Yorker

"They work for us.

The New York Times

"I work for free.

The New Yorker

More work for you.

The New York Times

They work for pennies.

Independent

"I work for FEMA".

The New York Times - Magazine

Come work for us".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work for" to indicate employment, clearly specify the employer: "I work for Google" is clearer than "I work for a tech company."

Common error

Avoid using "work for" when you mean simply to use a tool or method. Instead of saying "This software doesn't work for me," consider "This software doesn't suit my needs" or "This software isn't effective for my purposes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work for" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating employment or service. Ludwig examples show it used to describe who someone is employed by ("I work for FEMA") or what cause they support ("Work for Peace").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work for" is a versatile expression primarily used to indicate employment, service, or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. Its versatility is highlighted in the provided examples, ranging from expressing employment status ("I work for FEMA") to indicating support for a cause ("Work for Peace"). While mainly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, its usage is widespread. When using "work for", be clear about the entity or purpose you're referring to, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives like "be employed by" or "be in the service of" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be employed by

Focuses specifically on the state of being hired by an organization.

be in the service of

Emphasizes dedication and commitment to a cause or entity.

toil for

Highlights the effort and labor involved in working towards a goal.

labor for

Similar to 'toil for', stressing the exertion required.

be effective for

Shifts the focus to the efficacy of something for a particular purpose.

be suitable for

Indicates appropriateness or fitness for a specific role or situation.

be designed for

Highlights the intended purpose or function.

perform duties for

Focuses on the specific tasks and responsibilities undertaken.

act on behalf of

Implies representing or advocating for someone or something.

contribute to

Emphasizes the act of giving effort or resources to a larger objective.

FAQs

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

You can use "work for" to indicate employment, such as "I "work for" a software company". It can also mean striving towards something, as in "We "work for" a better future".

What are some alternatives to saying "I work for"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I'm employed by", "I'm in the service of", or "I "perform duties for"".

Is it correct to say "This strategy doesn't work for me?"

Yes, it's correct, but consider alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey. You might also say, "This strategy isn't effective for me" or "This strategy doesn't suit my needs".

What is the difference between "work for" and "work on"?

"Work for" typically indicates employment or dedication to an entity or cause. "Work on" means to focus effort on a specific task or project. For example, "I "work for" a charity" versus "I "work on" a new project".