held a position at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held a position at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's employment or role within an organization or company. Example: "She held a position at the marketing department for over five years before moving to a new role."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

From 1933 to 1936 he held a position at Trinity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Subsequently Mr. O'Connor held a position at Centrex Production and for 20 years was Vice President of Business Affairs at the Tape House Editorial Company.

The New York Times

For a short time in 1861 she held a position at the U.S. mint in Philadelphia, but she was fired for publicly accusing General George B. McClellan of treason in the loss of the Battle of Ball's Bluff.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since 2003, Barker has held a position at the Oregon Health & Science University, in Portland, and he and his wife have established a foundation dedicated to optimizing the growth of infants and children.

The New Yorker

In Moscow, Lukács held a position at the Marx-Engels Institute. Marx-Engels Institute

SEP

From April 1933 to February 1936, he held a position at Zhejiang University, where he imparted knowledge and educated people.

Protein & Cell

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Further she holds a position as researcher at the UMCG.

BMC Cancer

He holds a position as professor at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

BMC Family Practice

He's an expert on architecture — at least, he lectures about architecture here and there, though he doesn't hold a position at any institution.

The New Yorker

He also currently holds a position at the University of Pennsylvania as a Fellow at the Center for Substance Abuse Solutions and is an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychiatry.

Huffington Post

The Australians were subsequently forced to abandon Wau and the Bulolo Valley, and were preparing to hold a position at the head of the Bulldog Track.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's career history, use "held a position at" to clearly indicate their past employment or role within a specific organization. Be sure to specify the time frame or duration if relevant to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using the present tense when referring to a position someone previously held. It's more accurate to say "He held a position at..." rather than "He holds a position at..." unless he still works there.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a position at" functions as a verb phrase indicating past employment or affiliation with an organization. It specifies that someone was previously employed or had a role at a particular place. Ludwig provides examples showing its common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held a position at" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate past employment or affiliation. Ludwig shows that its common in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While "aiResponseStatus" from Ludwig identifies the expression as correct, it's essential to use the right tense and context to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives like "worked at" or "was employed by" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was employed by

Focuses on the act of being employed, instead of the specific role.

worked at

A more general term indicating employment or activity at a place.

formerly worked for

Highlights that employment is in the past and with the specified organization.

served as

Emphasizes the function or duty performed.

had a job at

A simpler, more informal way to express employment.

occupied a role with

Highlights the role or capacity in which someone was involved.

was on staff at

Indicates being a member of the staff.

was affiliated with

Indicates a connection or association, not necessarily employment.

maintained a post in

Implies a formal or official position.

was associated with

Emphasizes connection or involvement without specifying employment.

FAQs

What is a good way to rephrase "held a position at"?

Alternatives include "worked at", "was employed by", or "served as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "held a position at" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone's past employment, for example: "She "held a position at" the university for five years."

Which is correct, "hold a position at" or "held a position at"?

"Hold a position at" is present tense, suggesting current employment, while ""held a position at"" indicates past employment. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the situation.

What's the difference between ""held a position at"" and "worked for"?

"Held a position at" is more specific, highlighting the role. "Worked for" is broader, simply indicating employment by a particular organization.