by vocation

USAGE SUMMARY

"by vocation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's job or profession, typically one in which a person has a strong interest or natural talent. For example: He is an architect by vocation, but he also enjoys painting in his free time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

By vocation, Dr. Nagle is an anthropologist.

The New York Times

He was a magnificent policeman, by vocation and by devotion".

The Guardian

Babel was Odessan by birth and, in a way, by vocation.

The New York Times

Nathan may be a piano tuner by trade, but he is a composer by vocation.

The New York Times

"I am a poet by vocation". The words might have been his.

The New York Times - Arts

All Parisians of sound mind and body hate pigeons, on principle and by vocation.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

His cast consists of the Archaeologist (romantically inspired by his vocation but hounded by fear he will fail to make a great find), the Wife (beautiful, priggish, sexually unsatisfied), the Young Native (poor, handsome, criminal, hoping to buy the girl he adores), the Innocent-Seeming American, the Mysterious Old Exquisitely Dressed British Baron, the Agents and the Counter-Agents.

The Guardian - Books

Temperamentally he seems far too self-effacing for flashy academic showmanship, and too agnostic for activism, so I ask if he was drawn to this work by the abstract intellectual challenge, or by a vocation to help the poor.

The Guardian - Books

He is ostensibly a mathematician, but although his mind still works like that of a scientist, he has ceased to be inspired by his vocation, and finds himself in the midst of an existential crisis.

The Guardian - Books

The journal also publishes book reviews and disseminates information of interest to all those who by profession, vocation, or inclination are interested in mysticism and the Middle Ages.

Johns Hopkins University

When the pastor was doing carpentry in his garage and he hit his thumb with a hammer, he was, said Keillor, somewhat limited by his vocation with regard to his vocabulary.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by vocation" when you want to emphasize that someone's profession aligns with their passion, skills, or personal identity. It adds a layer of meaning beyond simply stating their job title.

Common error

Avoid confusing "vocation" (one's main occupation or calling) with "avocation" (a hobby or secondary activity). "He is a doctor by vocation, but a painter by avocation" clarifies the distinction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by vocation" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify their profession or calling. This provides additional information about someone's role or occupation, as indicated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by vocation" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate someone's profession or calling. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile expression found in diverse contexts, particularly in news media and academic writing. While alternatives like "professionally" or "as a career" exist, "by vocation" emphasizes the alignment of work with passion or skill. Understanding the difference between "vocation" and "avocation" prevents common errors. Using "by vocation" adds depth to describing someone's professional role, suggesting dedication and purpose beyond merely stating their job.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

professionally

This alternative is a single-word adverb, indicating an action done in a professional capacity.

as a profession

This alternative emphasizes the professional aspect and can be used when describing someone's job.

in one's profession

This alternative highlights the context of one's occupational field.

occupationally

This is another single-word adverb which directly refers to something in relation to one's occupation.

in a professional capacity

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the role or function one performs professionally.

as a career

This emphasizes a long-term commitment to a particular field.

by trade

This alternative suggests a skill or craft learned through training or apprenticeship.

by calling

This alternative implies a strong sense of purpose or destiny related to one's work.

as one's job

This is a straightforward and simple way to refer to someone's employment.

for a living

This alternative focuses on the economic aspect of work, implying that it provides sustenance.

FAQs

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

You can use "by vocation" to describe someone's profession or calling. For example, "She is a writer "by vocation", but also enjoys teaching."

What's a good substitute for "by vocation"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "professionally", "as a profession", or "as a career" to convey a similar meaning.

What does it mean when someone is described as "by vocation"?

It means that their stated profession is not merely a job, but something they are skilled at, passionate about, and/or feel called to do. It implies a deeper connection to their work than simply earning a paycheck.

Is it correct to say "vocation" instead of "job"?

While "vocation" can sometimes be used to mean "job", it carries a stronger connotation of purpose and calling. "Job" is more general, while "vocation" suggests a sense of fulfillment and dedication.