Job Discussion Forums

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

I am currently employed by the Government as an English teacher.

I am currently employed with the Government as an English teacher.

1. Are both sentences correct?

2. If using with is unorthodox, is it OK to use it if the writer wishes to indicate that s/he isn't directly employed by the Government?

3. With cannot be used in this context.

Thanks!

johnslat · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:58 am Post subject:

Dear Marcoregano,
I'd go with Number 3 - although prepositions (having no real "rules") are tricky and can vary a lot depending on location and dialect.

One problem I see with using "with" is the ambiguity it seems (to me, anyway) to raise.

I am employed with the government - does that mean "along with the government" or does it mean that you AND the government are both employed as an English teacher (rather a silly interpretation, I agree, but not, I think, one that would be impossible?)

I think that your intended meaning would almost certainly be conveyed by either sentence; however, the one with "with" (Ha - I LOVE doing that) might well be received with a "raised eyebrow."

Regards,
John

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Thanks John. I agree.

willraber · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 25 Location: USA

Reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend a few years ago.

Me: "I hear you're working for Blender Shipbuilding."

Him: "No, I don't work for Blender; I work with Blender; I'm a consultant. I would never work for 'those' people."

Me: "That bad, huh?"

Him: "Yep!"

Maybe this could be an exception to the rule? Confused

johnslat · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 6:56 pm Post subject:

Well, personally, I think I'd use "work with" only when referring to colleagues.

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

Hi guys.

I kind of agree that, if making a distinction, work with is OK, even if talking about a company - though it may be technically unorthodox.

Coming back to my original query, how about:

I am currently employed as an English teacher with the Government.

Even though with is essentially used in the same way as in the OP, it doesn't sound as dubious.

Much ado about nothing, perhaps!

Coogar · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject:

Hasn't johnslat already explained it well?

In the example with the government it sounds like you're employed 'alongside the government' if you use 'with'.

The case with the consultant could be interpreted as him being some kind of 'partner' (which I don't think is technically correct, I think a consultant is still working FOR not WITH a company, but well...), which would take us back to the colleague; both work on the same level and are equal. In that case you use with.