adopt a position

USAGE SUMMARY

"adopt a position" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to a stance or viewpoint that someone has chosen to take. For example, "After carefully considering all the evidence, the jury decided to adopt a position of 'not guilty'."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Thinking themselves sceptics, they adopt a position of total gullibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

QUESTION FROM RON: Hey, why don't we just adopt a position of isolationism.

The New Yorker

Broadcasters, he sniffed, should simply "argue back; don't adopt a position of automatic compromise".

The Guardian

If governments sincerely support the democratic movement in Iran, they should adopt a position of active neutrality.

The New York Times

At best, it can encourage empathy by asking students to adopt a position other than their own and encourage them to think in (ideally) new and creative ways.

The Guardian

The union for professionals, which represents scientists, engineers, managers and other specialists, did not adopt a position on the referendum other than to promote evidence-based debate.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

And it's not because he's adopted a position on welfare.

The Guardian

From early on in the prosecution, MIT adopted a position of neutrality.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Elsewhere, we adopted a position of benign neutrality on Trump's domestic innovations.

Independent

The paper is scathing about the US-led "umbrella group", which it says adopted a position of inaction.

The Guardian

"Europe adopted a position they knew would force the United States to pull out," said Mr. Anderson, the Canadian environment minister.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adopt a position", ensure that the subject clearly indicates who is taking the stance. For example, "The committee adopted a position of neutrality."

Common error

Avoid confusing "adopt a position" with phrases that suggest merely considering a viewpoint, such as "entertain an idea". "Adopting a position" implies a commitment to that stance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adopt a position" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of formally or informally choosing a stance or viewpoint. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adopt a position" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, according to Ludwig AI, that describes the act of choosing and embracing a particular viewpoint or stance. It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who is taking the stance and avoid confusing it with terms that suggest mere consideration rather than commitment. Alternatives like "take a position" or "assume a position" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adopt a stance

Replaces "position" with "stance", indicating a similar but slightly more assertive viewpoint.

take a position

Uses "take" instead of "adopt", providing a more common and direct alternative.

assume a position

Substitutes "adopt" with "assume", suggesting the act of taking on a viewpoint.

embrace a position

Replaces "adopt" with "embrace", indicating a more enthusiastic acceptance of the viewpoint.

accept a position

Implies agreement or endorsement of a particular stance.

follow a position

Suggests adherence to an existing viewpoint, rather than creating a new one.

formulate a position

Emphasizes the creation or development of a viewpoint.

establish a position

Highlights the act of setting up or solidifying a viewpoint.

develop a position

Focuses on the process of creating or refining a viewpoint.

pass a position

Suggests that someone approved or endorse a particular stance.

FAQs

How can I use "adopt a position" in a sentence?

You can use "adopt a position" to describe someone formally or informally choosing a stance on an issue. For example, "The company decided to adopt a position against the new regulations."

What can I say instead of "adopt a position"?

You can use alternatives like "take a position", "assume a position", or "embrace a position" depending on the context.

Is it better to "adopt a position" or "take a position"?

Both "adopt a position" and "take a position" are correct. "Adopt a position" may sound slightly more formal, while "take a position" is more common in everyday language.

What's the difference between "adopt a position" and "maintain a position"?

"Adopt a position" means to start holding a certain view, while "maintain a position" means to continue holding a view you already have.