held powerful positions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held powerful positions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has occupied influential or significant roles in an organization or society. Example: "Throughout her career, she held powerful positions that allowed her to influence major policy decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Nuns have also held powerful positions in Chicago public life.

The New York Times

The dismissals galvanized several faculty members who held powerful positions on the board, including Paul Kantor and Lori Schiff.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Lozica comes from a Partisan family; his father and seven uncles held powerful positions on the island during the Communist period.

The New York Times

A prominent Socialist, he has held powerful positions in previous French governments despite his wealth, lavish lifestyle and his reputation as a womanizer.

The New York Times

Democrats owned the South then, electorally speaking, and Southern Democrats held powerful positions on Congressional committees, but the region played a negligible part in choosing presidential nominees.

The New York Times

Before his five-year presidential term, Mr. Singh held powerful positions in the central Government and in his native state of Punjab.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Accept that bad people will hold powerful positions for some time.

The Economist

Largesse continues nonetheless, and unionised teachers still hold powerful positions in national and state education ministries and in Congress.

The Economist

Others think that King Fahd's full brothers and sons, who hold powerful positions, have blocked any such move.

The New York Times

Technically, the president retains his authority, and his family continues to hold sway in Sana, the capital, with family members holding powerful positions in the military.

The New York Times

It is said that he holds damaging secrets relating to some of those who continue to hold powerful positions in Libya.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's career or history, use "held powerful positions" to emphasize their influence and authority. For instance, "Throughout her career, she held powerful positions in government and the private sector."

Common error

Don't just say someone "held powerful positions" without providing context or examples. Be specific about the roles and responsibilities they had to showcase the extent of their influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held powerful positions" functions as a descriptive element, indicating that someone has occupied roles of significant authority or control. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for describing past roles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held powerful positions" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe individuals who have occupied roles with significant authority. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, mainly appearing in news, academic, and formal business settings. While the phrase is commonly used, remember to provide specific details about the roles to enhance its impact and avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "occupied influential roles" or "exercised significant authority" can add nuance depending on the intended meaning. Being precise when you say a person or group of people "held powerful positions" is key to correctly communicate their range of action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied influential roles

Replaces "held" with "occupied" and "powerful positions" with "influential roles", emphasizing the occupation of a role.

were in positions of authority

Rephrases to clarify the type of positions held.

exercised significant authority

Focuses on the act of using authority rather than just holding a position.

wielded considerable influence

Highlights the active use of influence instead of passively holding a position.

commanded substantial authority

Similar to "exercised significant authority", emphasizing the control and power.

maintained prominent standing

Shifts the focus to the status or standing achieved.

had leading roles

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize leadership.

had high ranking roles

Highlights the hierarchical aspect of the positions.

were dominant figures

Focuses on the prominence and impact of the individuals.

controlled key areas

Emphasizes control over important areas or sectors.

FAQs

How can I use "held powerful positions" in a sentence?

You can use "held powerful positions" to describe individuals who have occupied influential roles. For example, "Many members of his family "held influential positions" in the government".

What are some alternatives to "held powerful positions"?

Alternatives include "occupied influential roles", "exercised significant authority", or "wielded considerable influence".

Is it better to say "held powerful positions" or "was in a position of power"?

"Held powerful positions" usually refers to a series of roles over time, while "was in a position of power" describes a specific instance. The best choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "held powerful positions" and "held influential positions"?

"Powerful" emphasizes authority and control, while "influential" highlights the ability to affect decisions and outcomes. Both are similar, but the nuance depends on the context.