Which of these is correct and why?
I work at Microsoft
I work in Microsoft
I've seen 'at' everywhere but nobody uses 'in'. Why?
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I work at/for Microsoft– user 66974Commented Jul 17, 2018 at 15:57
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1If Microsoft were a box, you could work "in" it. Prepositions are difficult in almost any language.– Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_Commented Jul 17, 2018 at 15:57
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1If you were standing on the pavement in front of Microsoft talking to somebody and they asked where you work, then maybe you would use "in Microsoft". But "at" is used for exact locations or times (at the mall etc...at 5 o'clock)– Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_Commented Jul 17, 2018 at 16:17
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1Welcome to EL&U. I believe you will find the answer in Which one is right — “He works at company X” or “in company X ”?– chosterCommented Jul 17, 2018 at 16:20
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2As a rough guide: You work for a company, at a location, in a department.– user253826Commented Jul 17, 2018 at 16:28
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1 Answer
Working "At" a company generally means working as an employee. It is not so much a preposition as "in" which refers to your current location. An employee of Microsoft would tell you he is at Microsoft even if he were working from home at the time. A contractor fixing a copier at the Microsoft office could say they were working at work in Microsoft.
I think it is more a matter of usage than strict meaning.
