I held a position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I held a position" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a job or role you occupied in the past. Example: "During my career, I held a position as a project manager for five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

At the time, I held a position of responsibility at the Washington Post.

The New Yorker

Among the mayors, a rich family descended from Pippin of Landen (Pippin I) held a position of especial importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I held a position as Coordinator of Initiatives and was an Elementary School Principal.

Huffington Post

And while I have deep respect for people on both sides of this conversation, I would be abandoning my own conscience and judgment if I held a position that I no longer believed appropriate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

While I hold a position, I breathe in the heady fragrance of lilies – a welcome change to the waft of sandalwood joss sticks at many retreats.

The Guardian - Travel

I hold a position (archivist) on the National Society of Newspaper Columnists board that also begins with "A".

Huffington Post

In 2010, two doctors at St. Michael's Hospital, a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto's medical school (and where I hold a position), started voicing concerns about pharmaceutical industry involvement in a pain-management course that was part of U of T's med school curriculum.

Vice

Following World War I, Mashbir held a position teaching military science and tactics at Syracuse University, where he first considered studying the Japanese language and culture.

Wikipedia

For the past two years, I have held a position of middling seniority in the public health team of a local council.

The Guardian - Money

I held a political position, I did not participate in any of the crimes that were raised against me personally," he said.

The Guardian

I held a higher position on the rung of movie-crew hierarchy, but Tim and I were within the same somewhat low-ranking realm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the duration and key responsibilities associated with the position for greater clarity and impact. For example, "I held a position as Marketing Director from 2018 to 2022, overseeing all advertising campaigns and brand development."

Common error

Avoid simply stating "I held a position" without providing context. Always specify the position title, company, and relevant details to convey a comprehensive understanding of your past responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I held a position" functions as a statement of past employment or role, conveying information about one's previous professional experience. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Unknown

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I held a position" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe a past job or role. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears in diverse sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and business documents, and typically functions to provide information about past professional experience. To ensure clarity, it’s important to follow this phrase with specific details about the position and responsibilities. Consider alternatives such as "I served as" or "I occupied a post" for nuanced meaning, but avoid ambiguity by always providing sufficient context. Using "I held a position" effectively allows for a clear and professional articulation of one's work history.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I occupied a post

Focuses on the formal occupancy of a role.

I served as

Highlights the act of serving in a specific capacity.

I was employed as

Emphasizes the employment aspect of the role.

I had a role as

Highlights the existence of a role.

I fulfilled the function of

Stresses the duties and responsibilities involved.

I was responsible for

Focuses on the responsibilities assumed during the role.

I acted as

Emphasizes the performance of duties associated with the role.

I tenured in the capacity of

Suggests a more formal or tenured appointment.

I previously worked as

Highlights the prior work experience in a specific role.

My previous role was

Highlights existence of a previous role

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I held a position"?

Saying "I held a position" means that you previously occupied a job or role, usually in a professional setting. It implies that you were employed or appointed to a specific function.

How can I use "I held a position" in a sentence?

You can use "I held a position" to describe your past work experience, such as, "I held a position as a project manager at Acme Corp."

What are some alternatives to "I held a position"?

Alternatives include "I served as", "I was employed as", or "I occupied a post", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I held a position" or "I hold a position"?

"I held a position" refers to a past role, while "I hold a position" refers to a current one. Use the correct tense based on whether you currently occupy the position.