I worked three years vs I worked for three years

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I worked three years' is less common and informal, while 'I worked for three years' is more standard and commonly used. The preposition 'for' is typically used to indicate the duration of an action.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1576 views

This phrase is correct but less common and informal.

"I worked three years"

This phrase is used informally to indicate the duration of work without the preposition 'for'.

Examples:

I worked three years at that company before moving on to a new job.
She worked three years as a teacher before deciding to pursue a different career.
He worked three years in the construction industry before starting his own business.

Show examples from the web [+]

No, I worked for three years in Logroño.
I worked for three years as an obstetrician in Africa, so this problem means quite a lot to me.
- I speak French because I worked for three years at the Excelsior.
Personally, I worked for more than three years in the automotive supply sector.
I worked with him for three years, and then once he got appointed mayor...
I've worked here three years, ten months, and my take-home pay is $94. 70 a week.
You know I do. I've worked here for three years.
Told her I didn't know anything, which considering we've worked together for three years now, is oddly true.
It hasn't worked for three years.
l worked for three years at its behavioural science unit, profiling serial killers.
She worked for three years at Kaplan and Cohlick.
He knew the victim. I got a couple of co-workers say they remember Petrowski from when he worked on a contract three years ago, and he got on well with Mr. Kalmack here.
l've worked with Patterson for three years on this.
A period of five years, however, would appear to be too short to provide an incentive since they must have worked for at least three years within the Union to maintain their rights.
It appears that tens of thousands of civil servants in the Gaza Strip have not worked for the past three years, yet they continue to receive their wages from the EU.
Basic vocational training shall not be required of persons who have worked as drivers for three years out of a period of five years prior to the entry into force of this Directive.
I worked in your office for three years.
But I'll tell you one thing, I worked for that guy for three years and I've never seen him this excited.
He never missed a day in the three years I worked for him.
I worked with him at the state's attorney's office three years.

Alternatives:

I worked for three years
I worked at that company for three years
I spent three years working
I was employed for three years
I dedicated three years to working

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate the duration of work.

"I worked for three years"

This phrase is the standard way to express the duration of work using the preposition 'for'.

Examples:

I worked for three years at that company before moving on to a new job.
She worked for three years as a teacher before deciding to pursue a different career.
He worked for three years in the construction industry before starting his own business.

Show examples from the web [+]

No, I worked for three years in Logroño.
- I speak French because I worked for three years at the Excelsior.
I worked for three years as an obstetrician in Africa, so this problem means quite a lot to me.
Personally, I worked for more than three years in the automotive supply sector.
I worked with him for three years, and then once he got appointed mayor...
But I'll tell you one thing, I worked for that guy for three years and I've never seen him this excited.
You know I do. I've worked here for three years.
I worked in your office for three years.
It hasn't worked for three years.
l worked for three years at its behavioural science unit, profiling serial killers.
She worked for three years at Kaplan and Cohlick.
Told her I didn't know anything, which considering we've worked together for three years now, is oddly true.
I've worked here three years, ten months, and my take-home pay is $94. 70 a week.
l've worked with Patterson for three years on this.
A period of five years, however, would appear to be too short to provide an incentive since they must have worked for at least three years within the Union to maintain their rights.
It appears that tens of thousands of civil servants in the Gaza Strip have not worked for the past three years, yet they continue to receive their wages from the EU.
Basic vocational training shall not be required of persons who have worked as drivers for three years out of a period of five years prior to the entry into force of this Directive.
He knew the victim. I got a couple of co-workers say they remember Petrowski from when he worked on a contract three years ago, and he got on well with Mr. Kalmack here.
He never missed a day in the three years I worked for him.
must have worked for at least three years as a category B driving licence examiner; that period may be shortened by a year if the examiner can furnish

Alternatives:

I worked three years
I worked at that company for three years
I spent three years working
I was employed for three years
I dedicated three years to working

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I worked three years vs I worked for three years