as a first lieutenant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a first lieutenant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone's rank or position, particularly in a military context. Example: "He served in the army as a first lieutenant before being promoted to captain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

John P. Rodriquez as a first lieutenant in the Marines.

The New York Times

John P. Rodriguez, who as a first lieutenant served there with the 26th Infantry Regiment.

The New York Times

Served as a first Lieutenant in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

The New York Times

Conant mustered out of the army as a first lieutenant in September 1865 and returned home.

The New York Times

In the Marines for two years, he served in the Far East as a first lieutenant.

The New York Times

He served as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Forces in World War II.

The New York Times

He was assigned to counterintelligence work and was discharged in 1946 as a first lieutenant.

The New York Times

In the war, Mr. Waldheim was assigned to the Russian front as a first lieutenant.

The New York Times

Crocetti entered the Rome Air Development Center in July 1951 as a first lieutenant, USAF.

Columbia University

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II as a first Lieutenant.

The New York Times

Irving proudly served as a First Lieutenant in Europe during WWII.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about military personnel, ensure accuracy in rank and branch of service. Use "as a first lieutenant" to clearly denote the individual's position at a specific time.

Common error

Avoid replacing "as" with prepositions like "like" or "for" when specifying a military rank. "As" accurately indicates the capacity or role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a first lieutenant" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly specifies the role or capacity in which someone performed an action or served. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in describing military service and historical events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a first lieutenant" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, primarily found in news, academic texts, and encyclopedic entries. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to define a person's role or rank, mainly in military contexts. It accurately denotes someone who held the rank of first lieutenant. When writing about military personnel, ensure accuracy and use this phrase to clarify an individual's position at a specific time. Remember to use "as" and avoid alternatives like "like" to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serving as a first lieutenant

Rephrases the action of holding the rank, emphasizing the service aspect.

in the role of a first lieutenant

Focuses on the responsibilities and duties associated with the rank.

holding the rank of first lieutenant

Highlights the formal designation and status of the position.

commissioned as a first lieutenant

Emphasizes the act of being granted the rank.

acting as a first lieutenant

Suggests a temporary or stand-in capacity.

ranked as a first lieutenant

Directly states the individual's military rank.

working as a first lieutenant

Highlights the active duties performed in the specified rank.

first lieutenant by rank

Inverts the phrase to emphasize the rank itself.

designated first lieutenant

Highlights the official appointment to the rank.

functioning as a first lieutenant

Focuses on the practical execution of duties.

FAQs

How do I properly use "as a first lieutenant" in a sentence?

Use "as a first lieutenant" to indicate the role or rank someone held at a particular time. For example, "He served "as a first lieutenant" during the Korean War."

What are some alternative ways to say "as a first lieutenant"?

Alternatives include "serving "in the role of" a first lieutenant" or "holding the rank "of first lieutenant"", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "first lieutenant" and "as a first lieutenant"?

"First lieutenant" is the rank itself, while "as a first lieutenant" describes someone's function or role at a specific time. You might say "He was a first lieutenant" or "He served "as a first lieutenant" in the infantry."

Can I use "like a first lieutenant" instead of "as a first lieutenant"?

No, "like a first lieutenant" implies a comparison, while "as a first lieutenant" indicates an actual role or position. Using "like" would suggest someone is acting similar to a first lieutenant, not that they hold the rank.