I succeeded him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I succeeded him" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has taken over a position or role from another person. Example: "After many years of dedicated service, I succeeded him as the CEO of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

His son James I succeeded him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On his death his second son, Leopold I, succeeded him as emperor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"When I succeeded him he advised me of some changes that had to be made.

Independent

Simeon was twice married and left four sons, of whom the second, Peter I, succeeded him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At this point, Duke John Frederick died on January 7 , 1680 and his brother, Ernest Augustus I, succeeded him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After a year, Lyn resigned as director of the office, and I succeeded him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

His sons Francis I (ruled 1574 87) and Ferdinand I (ruled 1587 1609) succeeded him, and the latter enlarged the free port of Livorno.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After the assassination of the first duke, Alessandro, in 1537, Cosimo I (ruled 1537 74) succeeded him and developed a strong absolutist state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If Karl Rove left the White House tomorrow, I am sure I would have a good relationship with whoever succeeded him, because I am head of the anti-tax movement.

The New Yorker

In 1274, Stjepko Šubić of Bribir died, and Paul I Šubić of Bribir succeeded him as the family elder.

Wikipedia

I just thought, Would my next job at the New York Times be as fun as being the managing editor for John?" In addition — although he claims that the subject "never came up" — since Carroll was fifty-seven, Baquet said, "I assumed that if things went well I would succeed him".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I succeeded him" to clearly indicate that you took over a specific role or position from someone. Ensure the context makes it clear who 'him' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "I succeeded him" without clearly establishing who 'him' is within the context. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Always ensure the antecedent is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I succeeded him" functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker has taken over the role or position previously held by another person. Ludwig examples show it being used in various contexts to describe career transitions and historical successions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science & Research

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I succeeded him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote taking over a role or position previously held by another person. As Ludwig confirms, its usage is versatile, spanning news reports, encyclopedic entries, and personal narratives. The phrase's register is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse contexts. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to clearly identify who 'him' refers to, as ambiguity can lead to misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was his successor

States the formal relationship of succession.

I replaced him

Focuses on the act of taking someone's place.

I took his place

Similar to replacing, but slightly more general.

I took over from him

Highlights the act of assuming responsibility.

I followed him in the role

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the succession.

I came after him

Simply indicates a following in time or order.

I assumed his position

Focuses on the position being taken.

I inherited his duties

Highlights the transfer of responsibilities.

I stepped into his shoes

Implies filling the role and responsibilities effectively.

I relieved him of his duties

Highlights that I freed the person of responsibility

FAQs

How do I use "I succeeded him" in a sentence?

Use "I succeeded him" to indicate that you took over someone's role or position. For example, "After his retirement, "I succeeded him" as the team leader".

What's a more formal way to say "I succeeded him"?

In a formal context, you could say "I assumed his position" or "I was appointed as his successor". These phrases are more appropriate for professional or academic settings.

What can I say instead of "I succeeded him" if I want to emphasize continuity?

If you want to emphasize the continuation of previous efforts, you could say "I built upon his work" or "I continued his legacy".

Is "I succeeded him" different from "I replaced him"?

While similar, "I replaced him" focuses more on the act of substitution. ""I succeeded him"" implies a more formal transfer of role or position, often with an element of inheritance or continuation.