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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
While I held the position
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "While I held the position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time period during which someone occupied a particular job or role. Example: "While I held the position of project manager, I implemented several new strategies that improved team efficiency."
✓ Grammatically correct
Academia
Formal & Business
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Wiki
Reference
Social Media
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 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.
News & Media
Rafsanjani served as president of Iran for two terms while Khamenei held the position of Supreme Leader.
News & Media
As for Villagrana, he allegedly withdrew $83,900 in cash for his personal benefit from 2007 to 2009, while he held the position as President of the San Jose Chapter.
News & Media
"While you hold the position, you simply do not have an agenda of your own," Dr. Bromley said.
News & Media
Amelia has been number one in England since 2011, while in Wales it has held the position since 2012.
News & Media
While still in Iran, she held the position of Gender and Education Officer.
Formal & Business
Sommeliers who have held the position for a while bristle at the misconceptions people have about what they do.
News & Media
The rough equivalent of Catholic priests and bishops, respectively, bishops and stake presidents serve for five or ten years, as Mitt Romney did while he held the positions while working for Bain Capital in the 1980s and 1990s.
News & Media
Verma became the journal's editor in 2011 and has held the position while continuing to run his genetics laboratory.
News & Media
The subject held the position while two seconds of data were collected.
Before that he spent 13 years at Sony, latterly as President of Marketing at Sony Europe while concurrently holding the position of Managing Director of Sony United Kingdom Limited.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "While I held the position", follow it with a specific action, accomplishment, or responsibility to provide context and clarity. For example: "While I held the position of project manager, I successfully launched three new products."
Common error
Ensure that the timeframe when you "held the position" is clear, either through context or by explicitly stating the dates or duration. Avoid vague statements that don't specify the period in question.
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "While I held the position" functions as a temporal clause, setting the timeframe for actions or states described in the main clause. This is supported by Ludwig, indicating its correct usage in English.
Frequent in
Formal & Business
0%
News & Media
0%
Science
0%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Academia
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "While I held the position" is a grammatically sound phrase used to provide temporal context, specifying when certain actions or responsibilities were in effect. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in English. Although examples are currently missing, its professional and neutral register makes it suitable for formal reports, resumes, and business communications. Consider alternative phrases like "during my tenure" or "in my capacity as" for variety and formality.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
During my time in the role
Replaces "while I held the position" with a more concise and formal expression indicating the period of responsibility.
During my tenure
Highlights the duration and responsibilities during the time in the position.
As I occupied the position
Uses a more formal verb ("occupied") to convey the act of holding the position.
When I was in the role
Simplifies the phrasing to a more common and easily understood construction.
Throughout my term
Similar to "tenure", emphasizing a defined period in office.
Whilst in that position
Uses "whilst", a more formal alternative to "while".
In my capacity as
Focuses on the official function and duties associated with the position.
While serving in that post
Emphasizes the act of serving or fulfilling the duties of the position.
In my previous role
Highlights that it was the person's past occupation.
When I had that job
Uses simpler language; more conversational.
FAQs
How can I use "While I held the position" in a sentence?
Use "While I held the position" to introduce actions, responsibilities, or changes you implemented during your time in a specific role. For example: "While I held the position of marketing director, I increased brand awareness by 30%."
What's a more formal way to say "While I held the position"?
More formal alternatives include "During my tenure", "In my capacity as", or "While serving in that post". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.
What can I say instead of "While I held the position" in an email?
Depending on the context, you can use "during my time in the role", "when I was in the role", or "in my capacity as". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and formality of your email.
Is it correct to say "Whilst I held the position"?
Yes, "Whilst I held the position" is grammatically correct. "Whilst" is a more formal and slightly archaic alternative to "while". It is less commonly used in modern English but perfectly acceptable.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
79%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested