forge a career

USAGE SUMMARY

"forge a career" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are describing someone's journey as they actively pursue a goal or objective, typically in the professional or business arena. For example: "Although she faced many challenges growing up, she was determined to forge a successful career and eventually became a highly respected business leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Katie Hopkins has managed to forge a career by saying she's "telling it like it is".

Independent

Pearce recalls how adult learning helped her mum forge a career in chartered management.

The Guardian

It's not trying to forge a career; it's for different reasons".

The Guardian

Bacall began to forge a career away from the shadow of her well-known husband.

The Guardian - Film

It remains to be seen if the 57-year-old will forge a career on the silver screen.

Independent

Religion and work helped her overcome his death, raise their three boys alone and forge a career.

The New York Times

In the 1980s, Mr. Gutowski, a musician, came to New York City to forge a career in arts management.

The New York Times

So, my ultimate job aspiration: to forge a career that doesn't feel like the purpose is purely 'work'work

The Guardian

Her last name is Bloom and, lo and behold, she has managed to forge a career as a florist.

The New York Times - Arts

Abandoning university, he spent time in Paris and London, attempting to forge a career in theatre design.

The Guardian

Király managed to start a new life and forge a career as a historian in the US.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forge a career" when you want to emphasize the effort, determination, and resilience required to build a successful professional path, especially when facing challenges or creating something new.

Common error

Avoid using "forge a career" when you simply mean to have a career or work in a field; "forge" implies actively overcoming obstacles and creating a path, rather than passively participating in one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forge a career" functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate, where "forge" is the verb and "career" is the direct object. This phrase signifies the act of creating or developing a career, often implying effort and determination. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forge a career" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying the active creation and development of a professional path. As Ludwig AI confirms, it implies determination and effort in building a career, often in the face of challenges. While versatile, it's important to use it when emphasizing this proactive aspect, rather than simply describing someone's job. Alternatives such as "build a career" or "establish a career" can offer subtle differences in emphasis. With a high presence in news and media, and also encyclopedia contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register and is a powerful way to depict the journey of professional achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build a career

Focuses on the gradual development of a career over time.

establish a career

Emphasizes the act of setting up or founding a career.

develop a career

Highlights the continuous growth and improvement within a career.

create a career

Stresses the innovative or inventive aspect of forming a career.

shape a career

Implies influencing the direction and form of a career.

carve out a career

Suggests overcoming obstacles to create a unique career path.

pursue a career

Highlights actively following and striving for a particular career.

embark on a career

Focuses on the beginning or initiation of a career.

cultivate a career

Emphasizes nurturing and fostering the growth of a career.

craft a career

Implies skillful and deliberate creation of a career.

FAQs

What does it mean to "forge a career"?

To "forge a career" means to create or develop a successful career, often through hard work, determination, and overcoming challenges. It implies actively shaping one's professional path.

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

You can use "forge a career" to describe someone who is actively building their professional life. For example: "She was determined to "forge a career" in medicine, despite the challenges of medical school."

What are some alternatives to "forge a career"?

You can use alternatives like "build a career", "establish a career", or "develop a career", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "forging a career"?

Yes, "forging a career" is the gerund form of the phrase and is perfectly correct. It's often used to describe the ongoing process of building a career, as in "She is currently forging a career in technology."