extensive career

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extensive career" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when referring to a person's experience and accomplishments in a specific profession. For example, "After an extensive career in finance, she retired at the age of 65."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Outside of teaching, he had an extensive career in music.

The New York Times

Captain Barnes had an extensive career in medical ambulance flights.

The New York Times

Mr. Cady had an extensive career outside of Drucker's store.

The New York Times - Arts

Buzz enjoyed an extensive career both as executive and entrepreneur.

The New York Times

Extensive career travel included posts in Italy and Wales.

The New York Times

In Libya, paternal influence rather than ability ensured a more extensive career with leading Tripoli clubs.

The Guardian

This, I have learned from a fairly extensive career as a burglar.

The New Yorker

Don's extensive career in education ranged from class teacher, to university lecturer, to secondary school head.

The Guardian

She had an extensive career employed as a travel agent with Liberty Travel.

The New York Times

Niels has had an extensive career in international development with assignments for Unicef and the World Bank.

The Guardian

The American baritone Sanford Sylvan could probably have a much more extensive career in opera that he has.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's professional background, use "extensive career" to highlight both the duration and the breadth of their experience. For example, "She built an "extensive career" in international diplomacy."

Common error

Avoid using excessively vague adjectives like "nice" or "interesting" when describing an "extensive career". Instead, specify the field, accomplishments, or impact of the career to provide a more descriptive and engaging account.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extensive career" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It describes the duration, scope, and variety of someone's professional life. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing individuals' backgrounds in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

HuffPost

17%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Vice

2%

TechCrunch

2%

Los Angeles Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extensive career" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a long and varied professional journey. It functions as a noun phrase and is often used in news articles, professional biographies, and general discussions about individuals' work histories. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is effective for emphasizing the breadth and depth of someone's experience. While similar phrases like "long-standing career" or "accomplished career" offer slightly different nuances, "extensive career" remains a versatile and widely understood choice for portraying a comprehensive work history. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a suitable choice for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accomplished career

Stresses the successful completion of goals and milestones in the career.

successful career

Highlights the positive outcomes and achievements of the career.

long-standing career

Emphasizes the duration of the career.

illustrious career

Emphasizes the fame and recognition associated with the career.

distinguished career

Highlights the achievements and reputation gained throughout the career.

prolific career

Indicates a high level of output and activity throughout the career.

wide-ranging career

Similar to "varied career", focusing on the breadth of experiences.

varied career

Focuses on the diversity of roles and experiences within the career.

lengthy professional life

A more formal way of expressing a long career.

career spanning many years

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the career.

FAQs

How can I use "extensive career" in a sentence?

You can use "extensive career" to describe someone's long and successful professional life. For example, "He had an "extensive career" in medicine before retiring."

What are some alternatives to saying "extensive career"?

Alternatives include "long-standing career", "distinguished career", or "varied career" depending on the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "extensive career" or "exhaustive career"?

"Extensive career" is generally preferred because "exhaustive" implies a comprehensive or tiring effort, while "extensive" focuses on the length and breadth of the career.

What does it mean to have an "extensive career"?

Having an "extensive career" means that someone has worked in a particular field for a significant period, often with a wide range of experiences and accomplishments.