by profession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by profession" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's line of work or occupation. For example, "My mother is a doctor by profession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is a lawyer by profession.

The New Yorker

Spies are betrayers by profession.

The Guardian - Books

Bluemner was an architect by profession.

The New York Times

He is a podiatrist by profession.

The New York Times

Tolkien was a scholar by profession.

The New Yorker

He is a novelist by profession.

The New Yorker

By profession he was a crook".

The New York Times - Books

Mr. DeNoia is by profession a "liquidator".

The New York Times

I am a journalist by profession.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only one is an artist by profession.

The New York Times

I'd like it broken down by profession".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing multiple roles, ensure clarity; for instance, "He is a writer by profession, but also works as a consultant".

Common error

Don't confuse "by profession" with similar phrases like "in the profession", which indicates activity within that field rather than defining the profession itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by profession" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating someone's primary occupation or field of expertise. It adds specific descriptive information about a person, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by profession" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to specify someone's occupation or field of expertise. According to Ludwig, it's deemed correct and usable across a variety of writing styles. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for news articles, professional profiles, and academic papers. Frequent in "News & Media", this phrase efficiently provides essential background information about individuals. Remembering to use it to describe someone's main occupation, rather than a hobby or area of interest, will ensure correct usage. Also, don't confuse with "in the profession".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a profession

Focuses on the field itself, rather than the individual's relationship to it; slightly more formal.

as an occupation

Similar to "as a profession" but might encompass a wider range of jobs.

in one's profession

Highlights activities or status within a specific occupational field.

as a career

Emphasizes a longer and more committed professional path.

professionally

Adverb describing actions done in a professional capacity.

occupationally

Adverb form indicating activities related to employment. More concise.

career-wise

Emphasizes the perspective of a long-term professional path.

in terms of job

More direct and emphasizes the specific job role.

work-wise

A general term that refers to matters related to work.

in the workforce

Highlights activity and participation within employment rather than skills.

FAQs

How can I use "by profession" in a sentence?

You can use "by profession" to describe someone's occupation, like in the sentence "She is a doctor "by profession"".

What's a more formal way to say "by profession"?

While "by profession" is suitable for most contexts, you could use "as a profession" for a slightly more formal tone. For example, "As a profession, she works as a lawyer".

Is "by profession" interchangeable with "occupation"?

"By profession" specifies the field one is trained in or primarily works in, while "occupation" is a broader term. You might say, "His "occupation" is farming, but "by profession", he's an engineer".

Can I use "by profession" to describe a hobby?

No, "by profession" should be used to describe someone's paid work or vocation. For a hobby, you might say "He enjoys painting as a hobby" rather than "He is a painter "by profession" if he doesn't earn from it".