En 15 segundos
- Use it to name your employer or company.
- Follow 'at' with a business name or building type.
- Perfect for introductions and small talk about jobs.
Significado
This phrase tells people which company or building you go to for your job. It connects your work to a specific place or employer.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Meeting someone at a party
I work at a small tech startup downtown.
I work at a small tech startup downtown.
A formal job interview
I worked at Microsoft for five years as a developer.
I worked at Microsoft for five years as a developer.
Texting a friend about lunch
I'm still at the office. I work at the slowest place ever!
I'm still at the office. I work at the slowest place ever!
Contexto cultural
Asking where you work is very common and not considered rude. People often identify by their company name first.
Keep it simple
Don't overthink it. Just say the place name after 'at'.
En 15 segundos
- Use it to name your employer or company.
- Follow 'at' with a business name or building type.
- Perfect for introductions and small talk about jobs.
What It Means
Work at is your go-to phrase for identifying your employer. It is simple and direct. It tells the listener where you spend your 9-to-5. You use it to name a company or a specific building. It is the most common way to answer the question, "Where do you work?"
How To Use It
Put the name of the company right after the word at. For example, I work at Google. You can also use it for general places. You might say I work at a hospital or I work at a school. It is very flexible. You can use it in the past tense too. Just say I worked at a bank last year. It is like a verbal name tag for your career.
When To Use It
Use this when meeting new people at a party. It is a great icebreaker. Use it during job interviews to talk about your history. It works perfectly when you are filling out forms. You can even use it when complaining to friends. "I work at the busiest cafe in the city!" It fits almost every conversation about your professional life.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use at for your specific job title. You do not say I work at a manager. Use as for that. Also, do not use it for a city. You work in London, you do not work at London. If you are talking about a department, in is usually better. For example, I work in marketing. Using at for a city makes you sound like the city is your boss!
Cultural Background
In many English-speaking cultures, work is a big part of identity. People often ask "What do you do?" within minutes of meeting. Using work at helps people categorize your lifestyle. It is a social shorthand. In places like New York or London, the company name carries a lot of weight. It tells a story about your daily routine and status.
Common Variations
You will often hear work for as well. Work for emphasizes the person or company that pays you. Work at emphasizes the location or the entity. They are often interchangeable. You might also hear work in. This is for industries like I work in fashion. If you are at home, you say I work from home. Don't mix them up or you might sound like you live in your office!
Notas de uso
This is a neutral phrase suitable for all levels of formality. Be careful not to confuse it with 'work on', which refers to a specific task or project.
Keep it simple
Don't overthink it. Just say the place name after 'at'.
Ejemplos
6I work at a small tech startup downtown.
I work at a small tech startup downtown.
A very common way to introduce your job in a casual setting.
I worked at Microsoft for five years as a developer.
I worked at Microsoft for five years as a developer.
Used here to establish professional history and credibility.
I'm still at the office. I work at the slowest place ever!
I'm still at the office. I work at the slowest place ever!
Using the phrase to complain playfully about a slow workday.
I work at two different cafes just to pay the rent.
I work at two different cafes just to pay the rent.
Sharing a personal struggle regarding work-life balance.
I work at the big blue building on 5th Avenue.
I work at the big blue building on 5th Avenue.
Using the workplace as a physical landmark.
Actually, I don't work at the library anymore.
Actually, I don't work at the library anymore.
Setting the record straight about current employment.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence.
I ______ at the hospital.
First person singular uses 'work'.
🎉 Puntuación: /1
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
1 ejerciciosI ______ at the hospital.
First person singular uses 'work'.
🎉 Puntuación: /1
Preguntas frecuentes
1 preguntasNo, we say 'I work from home'.
Frases relacionadas
work for
similarEmployed by a person/boss.
work in
contrastEmployed in a field.
