adjunct professor

USAGE SUMMARY

'adjunct professor' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is common for universities to hire adjunct professors to teach specialty courses or to help cover a course overload. For example, "The university hired an adjunct professor to teach Introduction to Music Theory during the summer session."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adjunct professor at Cornell and New York Universities.

The New York Times

Jeff Potent, New York Adjunct professor, Columbia University.

The New York Times

Adjunct Professor at Cardozza Law School.

The New York Times

And an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.

The Guardian - Business

He is an adjunct professor at Columbia.

The New York Times

He is an adjunct professor of psychology at U.S.C.

The New York Times

Her mother is an adjunct professor of anthropology at Fordham.

The New York Times

She is also an adjunct professor of drama at Yale.

The New York Times

Their mother was a social worker and adjunct professor.

The New York Times - Arts

He retired as an adjunct professor of journalism at Rutgers.

The New York Times - Style

Adjunct Professor of Law, NYU School of Law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to someone's title, ensure the capitalization is consistent. "Adjunct Professor" is generally capitalized when used as a title before a name (e.g., Adjunct Professor Smith) but not when used as a general description (e.g., he is an adjunct professor).

Common error

Avoid inconsistent capitalization. Always capitalize "Adjunct Professor" when it precedes a name as a formal title. For example, "We are pleased to welcome Adjunct Professor Johnson to our faculty."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adjunct professor" functions primarily as a noun phrase identifying a specific academic role. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show it modifying people's names in the context of academic institutions, indicating a professional title or description.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

27%

Science

24%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adjunct professor" correctly identifies a part-time teaching position at a university or college. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically sound and widely accepted term. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, the phrase is frequently found in news media, academic publications, and scientific articles. It is typically used in a neutral register to describe an individual’s role within an academic setting, highlighting their part-time status. Proper capitalization is essential when using it as a title before a name. Related phrases include "part-time professor" and "visiting professor", though each carries slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Part-time professor

Focuses on the time commitment of the professor.

Part-time faculty member

Focuses on the faculty status with a part-time engagement.

Visiting professor

Highlights a temporary position at a university.

Temporary instructor

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the teaching role.

Lecturer

Emphasizes the teaching aspect of the role.

Sessional instructor

Describes a professor hired for a specific session or term.

Affiliated faculty

Indicates a connection to the faculty without a full-time commitment.

Clinical professor

Highlights a professor who also works in a clinical setting.

Guest lecturer

Indicates a short-term or one-time teaching engagement.

Professor of practice

Emphasizes practical experience in the field.

FAQs

How is "adjunct professor" used in a sentence?

You can use "adjunct professor" to describe someone who teaches part-time at a university or college. For example, "She works as an adjunct professor at the local community college."

What are some alternative terms for "adjunct professor"?

Alternatives include "part-time professor", "visiting professor", or "lecturer", depending on the specific context and role.

Is it correct to capitalize "adjunct professor"?

Yes, it's correct to capitalize "Adjunct Professor" when used as a title before a name, such as "Adjunct Professor Smith". When used generally, it's not capitalized: "He is an adjunct professor."

What is the difference between an "adjunct professor" and a full-time professor?

An adjunct professor is typically a part-time instructor, while a full-time professor holds a permanent position with responsibilities including teaching, research, and administrative duties. Adjunct professors often have other primary employment outside the university.