acting professor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acting professor" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who temporarily fulfills the role or duties of a professor, often in the absence of the regular professor. Example: "During the sabbatical of the head of the department, Dr. Smith served as the acting professor for the advanced biology course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Evan Yionoulis, the veteran Yale Rep resident director and Yale acting professor, has directed with her usual intelligent style.

The New York Times

That came as a surprise to John Yoo, an acting professor at Boalt Hall who had supported 209.

The New Yorker

The 35-year-old performer, director, writer and acting professor has 95 acting credits to his name, according to IMDB, yet his quest to be 21st century's most prolific polymath has too often been served at the expense of insufficient entertainment for the audience.

Independent

"If you were sitting on the board of a public company, how could you justify either keeping Andersen as an auditor or taking them on as your new one?" asked Kenneth N. Klee, acting professor at the law school at the University of California at Los Angeles.

The New York Times

Ken Jeong, the creator and star of Dr. Ken and of the Hangover series fame, recently said in an interview with the New York Times that his UCLA acting professor once told him, "You're a good actor, which is why I'm telling you: Stay the hell out of LA.

Vice

His acting professor, Karl Sikkenga, put it this way: "Vance has star quality".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Charles J. Ogletree, a Harvard professor who is acting as Professor Gates's lawyer, said he had looked into Sergeant Crowley's professional record but would not say whether he had found anything troubling.

The New York Times

Charles J. Ogletree, a Harvard law professor who is acting as Professor Gates's lawyer, said he had insisted on keeping the arrest quiet while they negotiated with the police to drop the charge.

The New York Times

The bride, 33, is an acting assistant professor at New York University School of Law in New York.

The New York Times - Style

In the fall of 1932, Bethe obtained an appointment at the University of Tübingen as an acting assistant professor of theoretical physics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mrs. Fabricant retired about 15 years ago, and she never achieved an academic rank higher than acting assistant professor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acting professor", clarify the duration or circumstances of the appointment to provide context for the temporary nature of the role. For example, specify if it's due to a sabbatical or a vacancy.

Common error

Avoid implying that an "acting professor" holds a permanent position. Always ensure context indicates the temporary or interim nature of the role to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acting professor" functions as a noun phrase, specifically an adjectival noun phrase. The word "acting" modifies "professor", indicating a temporary or substitute role. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing academic appointments and professional transitions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acting professor" is a noun phrase that describes someone temporarily holding a professorship. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. Its purpose is to specify the interim nature of the appointment, distinguishing it from a permanent position. While commonly found in news and media and encyclopedias, it is also present in academic contexts. Related phrases include "interim professor" and "temporary professor". Remember to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the context clearly indicates the temporary nature of the role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Interim professor

Replaces "acting" with "interim", indicating a temporary role.

Temporary professor

Uses "temporary" instead of "acting", highlighting the non-permanent nature of the position.

Substitute professor

Implies replacing a professor who is on leave or absent.

Relief professor

Emphasizes the role of filling in for a regular professor.

Cover professor

Similar to "relief professor", indicating temporary coverage of duties.

Visiting professor

Suggests a professor from another institution teaching temporarily.

Stand-in professor

Informal term for someone temporarily taking over professorial duties.

Ad-hoc professor

Highlights the temporary and often unplanned nature of the appointment.

Pro-tempore professor

Formal and less common term for a temporary professor.

Guest lecturer

Focuses on lecturing duties, implying a shorter-term engagement than a full professorship.

FAQs

What does "acting professor" mean?

An "acting professor" is someone who temporarily holds the position of a professor, often while a permanent replacement is sought or the regular professor is on leave.

What can I say instead of "acting professor"?

You can use alternatives like "interim professor", "temporary professor", or "visiting professor" depending on the context.

Is "acting professor" a formal term?

Yes, "acting professor" is generally considered a formal term suitable for academic and professional communications.

How long does someone typically serve as an "acting professor"?

The duration can vary, ranging from a few months to a year or more, depending on the circumstances necessitating the temporary appointment.