given a job

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given a job" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to someone being assigned or offered a position or task. Example: "After the interview, she was given a job at the company." Alternative expressions include "offered a position" and "assigned a role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luis Suárez should be given a job in the Cabinet.

Independent

Killing someone who was given a job by my husband?

The Guardian

Each group is given a job, for money.

The New York Times - Books

You've been given a job and you do it.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've never actually been given a job," Vander Wal said.

The New York Times - Sports

The party was pleased with her progress and she was given a job in a library.

The Economist

Ms English was initially given a job in Lord Sugar's IT division Viglen.

Independent

This has been denied by at least one of those who was given a job.

Independent

"Hey, I've been given a job with the Ministry," he said.

The New Yorker

But he was not given a job and never given a reason.

The New York Times

Father Sergei said: "Clearly, the prosecutor's people have been given a job to get Zakayev.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal business writing, consider specifying the nature of the 'job' by using terms like "position", "role" or "assignment" to add clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "given a job" if it is unclear whether the person was hired as a new employee or simply told to do a specific chore. For clarity in project management, use "assigned a task" if referring to a single piece of work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given a job" functions as a passive verb phrase consisting of the past participle of the verb "give" and a direct object noun phrase. As noted in Ludwig, this structure is primarily used to report a state of being or a completed action where the recipient of the job is the subject of the sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "given a job" is a fundamental and grammatically correct expression in English. According to Ludwig AI and extensive search data, it is a very common way to describe the act of being employed or assigned a task in a passive sense. It is highly versatile, appearing in the world's most prestigious newspapers and encyclopedias. While neutral and clear, writers should be aware that in specialized business contexts, more specific terms like "appointed" or "assigned" can provide additional precision. Overall, it remains a reliable and standard choice for both formal reporting and general storytelling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offered a position

Shifts the focus to the formal invitation to join an organization.

hired for a role

Emphasizes the completion of the recruitment process.

landed a job

A more informal and idiomatic way to describe successfully getting work.

appointed to a post

Indicates a more formal or official designation, often in government.

given a role

Slightly broader, as it can apply to theater, film or abstract social functions.

assigned a task

Focuses on a specific piece of work rather than overall employment.

provided with work

Often used when the focus is on the availability of labor opportunities.

recruited for a spot

Highlights the active search and selection process by the employer.

granted employment

Used in more legalistic or highly formal bureaucratic contexts.

tasked with a project

Specific to receiving a particular responsibility within a broader job.

FAQs

How to use "given a job" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe receiving employment or an assignment, such as: "After his internship, he was given a job as a junior analyst."

What can I say instead of "given a job"?

Depending on the context, you can use "offered a position", "hired" or "assigned work".

Is "given a job" formal enough for a resume?

While correct, it is often better to use more active and professional verbs on a resume such as "appointed to" or "recruited for".

What is the difference between "given a job" and "offered a job"?

To be "given a job" implies the process is complete and the person is working, whereas being "offered a job" means the choice to accept still remains.