In 15 Sekunden
- Used to identify your employer or boss clearly.
- Followed by a company name or a person's name.
- The standard way to answer 'Where do you work?'
Bedeutung
This phrase describes who gives you your paycheck or who you report to at a job. It is the most common way to tell someone which company or person employs you.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Meeting a new neighbor
I work for a small local bakery downtown.
I work for a small local bakery downtown.
A formal job interview
I worked for my previous employer for over ten years.
I worked for my previous employer for over ten years.
Texting a friend about a bad day
I can't believe I still work for this guy!
I can't believe I still work for this guy!
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the US, 'who you work for' is often seen as a status symbol. People may name-drop prestigious companies like 'Google' or 'Goldman Sachs' to establish their social standing quickly. In the UK, people might be slightly more modest. Instead of 'I work for...', they might say 'I'm with...' or 'I'm at...', though 'work for' remains the standard for official contexts. While Japanese learners use 'work for' in English, in Japan, the company is often viewed as a family. The loyalty implied in 'working for' a company is very strong and often lifelong. Germans value precision. They might distinguish clearly between 'working for' (the contract) and 'working in' (the specific technical field).
The Name Rule
Always use 'for' when the next word is a proper name (Apple, John, The UN).
Avoid 'to'
Never say 'I work to...'. It is the most common mistake for new learners.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to identify your employer or boss clearly.
- Followed by a company name or a person's name.
- The standard way to answer 'Where do you work?'
What It Means
Work for is your bread and butter for talking about employment. It simply identifies your employer. It connects you (the worker) to the entity that pays you. You can use it for big corporations or specific people. It is the verbal equivalent of showing someone your business card.
How To Use It
You put your name or I first. Then add work for. Finally, name the company or boss. For example, I work for Google. It is very flexible with time. You can say I worked for them or I am working for them. Just remember that for is the bridge to the employer. Don't forget the bridge, or the sentence falls apart!
When To Use It
Use this during small talk at parties. Use it in job interviews when discussing your history. It is perfect for LinkedIn bios or networking events. If someone asks, "What do you do?", this is your go-to answer. It works when talking to a neighbor or a CEO. It is the safest, most natural choice in English.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for your physical location. For that, use work at. If you are in the office building, you work at the office. If you are describing your industry, use work in. You work in fashion, but you work for Vogue. Also, if you own the company, don't use this. You don't work for yourself; you are self-employed or run the business. Saying you work for yourself sounds a bit like you are your own mean boss!
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, your job is often a big part of your identity. People ask "Who do you work for?" almost immediately after meeting. It is a way to find common ground. In the past, people worked for one company for forty years. Now, people change who they work for every few years. It is a very dynamic part of modern life.
Common Variations
You might hear work under if someone has a very strict boss. Or freelance for if you have many clients. But work for remains the king of workplace English. It is simple, direct, and understood by everyone from London to New York. It is the ultimate social icebreaker.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is extremely versatile and fits almost any situation. The only 'gotcha' is ensuring you use 'for' when naming the entity that pays you, rather than 'at' (location) or 'in' (industry).
The Name Rule
Always use 'for' when the next word is a proper name (Apple, John, The UN).
Avoid 'to'
Never say 'I work to...'. It is the most common mistake for new learners.
Freelancer Tip
If you have many clients, say 'I work for several different companies' to sound busy and successful.
Socializing
In the US, asking 'Who do you work for?' is a very common and polite way to start a conversation.
Beispiele
6I work for a small local bakery downtown.
I work for a small local bakery downtown.
A very common way to introduce your job in a casual setting.
I worked for my previous employer for over ten years.
I worked for my previous employer for over ten years.
Shows stability and history in a professional context.
I can't believe I still work for this guy!
I can't believe I still work for this guy!
Using 'this guy' instead of a name shows frustration with a boss.
I think I actually work for my cat now; he's the boss.
I think I actually work for my cat now; he's the boss.
A joke implying the pet runs the house.
I've always wanted to work for a charity that helps children.
I've always wanted to work for a charity that helps children.
Expressing a dream or a passion project.
Do you work for the government or a private firm?
Do you work for the government or a private firm?
Asking for specific details about someone's employer.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition.
I have a new job! I work ______ a famous fashion magazine.
We use 'for' to name the employer or company.
Which sentence is correct?
Talking about your boss:
When you report to a person, you work 'for' them.
Fill in the missing words in the conversation.
A: Who do you ______ ______? B: I work for a local charity.
The question 'Who do you work for?' is the standard way to ask about an employer.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a job interview and want to sound professional.
'Work for' is the most professional and standard way to express this.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
For vs. At vs. As
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenI have a new job! I work ______ a famous fashion magazine.
We use 'for' to name the employer or company.
Talking about your boss:
When you report to a person, you work 'for' them.
A: Who do you ______ ______? B: I work for a local charity.
The question 'Who do you work for?' is the standard way to ask about an employer.
You are at a job interview and want to sound professional.
'Work for' is the most professional and standard way to express this.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes! You can use 'for' with any organization, even if it's not a private company.
Yes, it's the standard way to say you are self-employed.
'Work for' is more common and natural. 'Employed by' is very formal and usually only seen on legal documents.
Only if you work for the city government. If you just mean the location, say 'I work in London'.
The most natural way is: 'Who do you work for?'
Yes, e.g., 'I work for Mr. Henderson.' It means he is your direct boss.
Use 'for' for the boss/company. Use 'with' for your colleagues.
Yes, this is a common idiomatic way to say you only do the job for the salary.
Yes, 'I worked for them for five years.'
Not at all. It is a neutral and professional phrase.
Yes, it's very common in the tech industry.
There isn't a direct opposite, but you could say 'I employ...' or 'I manage...'
Verwandte Redewendungen
work at
similarTo be employed at a specific location.
work as
similarTo have a specific job title.
work with
similarTo collaborate with people or use specific tools.
be employed by
synonymTo have a contract with a company.
report to
specialized formTo have a specific manager.
freelance for
specialized formTo work for a company as an independent contractor.
