working at

USAGE SUMMARY

"working at" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "I am working at a local pharmacy to earn some extra money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're working at it".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm working at it!

The New Yorker

"I'm still working at that".

The New Yorker

"It wasn't working at all".

The New York Times - Books

You are working at night.

The New Yorker

"But I'm working at it.

Independent

WHO are working at this event?

The New York Times

"Was he working at the time?" "No".

The New Yorker

I was the breadwinner, working at Aetna.

The New York Times

Betty was working at the stove.

The New Yorker

Because I was working at an S.E.O.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "working at", ensure the context clearly indicates the place or activity where the work is being performed. For example, "She enjoys working at the local library".

Common error

Avoid using "working on" when you intend to specify a place of employment. "Working on" typically refers to a task or project, not a location. Use "working at" to denote the place of employment: "He is working at the construction site", not "He is working on the construction site".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working at" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the location or place where someone is performing work or an activity. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples include "She's working at McDonald's" and "He is working at the hospital".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working at" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent prepositional phrase used to specify the location of employment or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and correct. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, but also appears in formal business, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are clearly indicating the place or location of the work. Avoid confusing it with "working on", which refers to tasks or projects. Understanding these nuances will enhance clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

employed at

Focuses specifically on being employed by a particular organization.

engaged in

Emphasizes active participation in a task or activity.

active in

Highlights involvement in a particular field or area.

affiliated with

Suggests a formal connection or association with an organization.

operating within

Indicates working within the confines or structure of something.

laboring in

Suggests physical work or effort in a specific location.

tasked with

Highlights specific responsibilities assigned in a work environment.

involved with

Indicates a degree of participation or connection.

occupied in

Suggests being busy or engaged in something.

serving at

Emphasizes providing a service or fulfilling a role at a place.

FAQs

How can I use "working at" in a sentence?

Use "working at" to indicate a place of employment or a location where someone is performing a job or activity. For example: "She is working at a tech company" or "He enjoys working at his family's restaurant".

What are some alternatives to "working at"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "employed at", "engaged in", or "affiliated with".

Is it correct to say "working on" instead of "working at"?

"Working on" typically refers to a task or project, while "working at" refers to a place of employment. For instance, "I'm working on a new project" versus "I'm working at a new company".

What's the difference between "working for" and "working at"?

"Working for" indicates who you are employed by, while "working at" indicates the location or specific place where you work. Example: "I am working for Google" (who employs you) versus "I am working at the Googleplex" (the location).