held the position of

USAGE SUMMARY

"held the position of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to describe a job or role that someone held in the past. For example: She held the position of vice president for five years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Since 1946, eight have held the position of secretary general.

The New York Times

Leveson has previously held the position of senior presiding judge for England and Wales.

The Guardian

She also held the position of NUS deputy president between 2011 and 2013.

The Guardian

Patrick Cassignol has held the position of bureau director for more than a decade.

The New Yorker

At Mindshare, Israel most recently held the position of Executive Director, Strategic Planning.

The Guardian

Both teams could point to periods of play in which they held the position of power.

The Guardian - Sport

He also held the position of president of the Chelsea Block Association.

The New York Times

Stephen Knight, for example, came from energy giant SSE, where he held the position of acting chief marketing officer.

The Guardian

For more than a decade, Patrick Cassignol has held the position of director of the Bureau of Found Objects.

The New Yorker

Mr. Tamez, 50, held the position of associate special agent in charge of the New York office.

The New York Times

In 1963, Harry became president of Garrett and he held the position of CEO when he retired in 1985.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held the position of", ensure you clearly specify the time frame or duration for which the person held the role. This adds clarity and context to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "holds the position of" when referring to a past role. The correct phrase to indicate a past role is "held the position of". Using the present tense implies the person is still in that role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held the position of" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone previously occupied a specific job or role. It establishes a past state of incumbency. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains demonstrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held the position of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote a past incumbency in a specific role. As Ludwig AI confirms, its proper usage involves describing someone's previous professional experience. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral to professional tone suitable for various communication contexts. When using the phrase, remember to clearly specify the timeframe for clarity. Alternatives like "served as" or "occupied the post of" can offer nuanced variations while conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

served as

Emphasizes the action of performing duties in a role.

occupied the post of

Highlights the official nature of the role and its temporary occupancy.

acted as

Suggests a functional role, often implying a temporary or less formal capacity.

was in charge of

Focuses on the responsibility and authority associated with the role.

presided over

Implies a leadership role, often in a formal or ceremonial context.

headed

Highlights the act of leading or directing something.

led

Implies guidance and direction.

directed

Emphasizes control and management of something.

officiated as

Highlights a formal or ceremonial role.

undertook the duties of

Focuses on the responsibilities and tasks involved.

FAQs

How can I use "held the position of" in a sentence?

Use "held the position of" to describe a role or job that someone had in the past. For example, "She held the position of CEO at the company for five years."

What are some alternatives to "held the position of"?

You can use alternatives like "served as", "occupied the post of", or "acted as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "holds the position of" when referring to a past job?

No, "holds the position of" is present tense. Use "held the position of" for past roles. The present tense implies the person is currently in that role.

What's the difference between "held the position of" and "held the role of"?

While similar, "held the position of" typically refers to a more formal or official job title, whereas "held the role of" can encompass broader responsibilities or functions. They are often interchangeable, but consider the context.