held the position

USAGE SUMMARY

'held the position' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a person's job or role. For example: "He held the position of Vice President at the company for five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He held the position until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He held the position until 2001.

The New York Times

He has held the position since 2007.

The New York Times

He has held the position since 2015.

The Guardian

He held the position until 1969.

The New York Times

He held the position since 2002.

The New York Times

He held the position for 16 years.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr. Lieb, 56, had held the position since 2006.

The New York Times

Mr. Sperling also held the position in the Clinton administration.

The New York Times

He held the position for four years before stepping down.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He held the position until he retired, in 1977.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past employment or roles, use "held the position" to clearly indicate that someone was responsible for specific duties within an organization or team. Provide specific dates to highlight duration of the role.

Common error

Avoid using present or future tenses when describing a past role using this phrase. Instead of saying "He holds the position", say "He held the position until [date]"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held the position" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone previously occupied and performed the duties of a specific job or role. It is used to describe past employment or tenure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

11%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held the position" is a correct and frequently used phrase to describe someone's past role or job, as Ludwig AI has confirmed. Its grammatical function is to indicate past employment, and its communicative purpose is to provide information about someone's professional experience. The phrase is suitable for both neutral and professional registers, and it appears most often in news articles, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. Remember to use the correct tense and avoid using it for present employment. Alternative phrases like "served as" and "occupied the post" offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied the post

Implies formal occupation of a designated role, often in governmental or organizational contexts. Focus on responsibility.

served as

Highlights the action of performing duties within a specific role for a duration. Focus on the work done.

acted as

Indicates a temporary or substitute fulfillment of role responsibilities. Focus on temporary action.

filled the role

Emphasizes the action of taking up the responsibilities of a role, often implying competence or suitability. Focus on fitness for the role.

assumed the office

Suggests a formal acceptance of a position, often with ceremonial connotations, implies taking responsibility.

presided over

Implies a leadership role or authority within a specific context or organization. Focus on leading others.

maintained the role

Highlights the continuity and stability of holding a position over a period of time. Focus on the long tenure.

undertook the duties

Focuses on the assumption of responsibilities and obligations tied to a certain position.

exercised the powers of

Specifically indicates acting under the authority and rights granted by a position.

carried out the functions of

Focuses on the active fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities associated with the position.

FAQs

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

You can use "held the position" to describe someone's job or role in the past, for example: "She "held the position" of CEO for five years."

What can I say instead of "held the position"?

Alternatives include "served as", "occupied the post", or "filled the role", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "holds the position" instead of "held the position"?

"Holds the position" indicates a present role, while ""held the position"" indicates a past role. Choose the correct tense based on whether the person currently occupies the position or did so in the past.

What is the difference between "held the position" and "held the title"?

"Held the position" emphasizes the responsibilities and duties associated with a role, while "held the title" focuses more on the formal designation or rank.