I held a position at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I held a position at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing your employment history or a specific role you had within an organization. Example: "I held a position at XYZ Corporation as a marketing manager for three years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

From 1933 to 1936 he held a position at Trinity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Moscow, Lukács held a position at the Marx-Engels Institute. Marx-Engels Institute

SEP

(From 1986 to 1995, I held a variety of positions at two Murdoch newspapers: the Sunday Times and the New York Post).

The New Yorker

He still holds a position at Columbia University.

The Guardian

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

After attending Stanford on a 100% need-based scholarship, I held a mid-level position at a large company.

Huffington Post

Today I hold a postdoc position at the Technion.

University of California, Berkeley

I hold a high position at a factory that is run by the defense department".

The New York Times

To the Editor: I hold a research position at a top institution in my field, which is particle physics.

The New York Times - Science

How then can we hold a position of "rightness?" I work at not getting caught in the "right/wrong" game, because as soon as I do, everyone loses.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I held a position at", clearly specify the position title and the organization to provide context for your professional experience. This helps the reader quickly understand your background.

Common error

Avoid using "I held a position at" without specifying the nature of the position or the organization. For example, instead of saying "I held a position at a company", provide details such as "I held a position as a marketing manager at XYZ Corporation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I held a position at" functions as a statement of past employment or affiliation. Ludwig AI confirms that it describes a previous role within an organization. The examples show its use in various professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I held a position at" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote past employment or affiliation with an organization. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions to communicate professional history in various contexts. While versatile, it is more effective when followed by specific details about the role and the organization. It's considered appropriate for professional and academic communication, fitting into a neutral register. Common alternatives include "I worked at" or "I was employed at", offering slightly different shades of meaning. Therefore, use "I held a position at" to accurately and professionally describe your previous roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was employed at

Replaces "held a position" with a more direct statement of employment.

I worked at

A simpler and more general way to indicate past employment.

I had a job at

A casual way to say I was employed.

I served as

Highlights the act of service or duty within a specific role.

I was a member of

Indicates affiliation rather than employment, useful when the role isn't a job.

I used to work at

Indicates a past work experience.

I occupied the role of

More formal and emphasizes the specific responsibilities of the position.

My position was with

Focuses on the position itself and its association with the organization.

I was stationed at

Implies being assigned to a specific location for work.

I was assigned to

Suggests a formal assignment to a role or department.

FAQs

What does "I held a position at" mean?

The phrase "I held a position at" indicates that you were employed or affiliated with a specific organization in the past. It generally implies that you had specific responsibilities and duties within that organization.

What can I say instead of "I held a position at"?

You can use alternatives like "I was employed at", "I worked at", or "I served as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I held a position in" instead of "I held a position at"?

While "I held a position in" isn't incorrect, "I held a position at" is generally preferred when referring to an organization. Use "in" to refer to a department or team: "I held a position in the marketing department".

How formal is the phrase "I held a position at"?

The phrase "I held a position at" is considered neutral to slightly formal. It's appropriate for resumes, cover letters, and professional conversations.