held the post

USAGE SUMMARY

"held the post" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to have or maintain a specific job or position. Example: After years of hard work and dedication, she finally held the post of CEO at the company.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He held the post until 1983.

The New York Times

She has held the post ever since.

The New Yorker

He held the post until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Powell held the post until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He held the post for nine years.

The New York Times

She held the post for 11 years.

The New York Times

She held the post until 1995.

The New York Times

He had held the post since 2001.

The New York Times - Sports

He held the post for almost two years.

Independent

Mr. Kean had held the post for 15 years.

The New York Times

For 800 years men have held the post.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held the post", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific position or role being referenced. Providing details about the duration or significance of the tenure can add clarity.

Common error

Do not use "held the post" without specifying which post is being referenced. Without a clear indication of the position, the phrase becomes vague and confusing. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held the post" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone has occupied a specific position or role for a period of time. Ludwig examples show this phrase is commonly used to describe past tenures in various official or professional capacities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held the post" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe someone's past tenure in a specific position, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news articles, encyclopedia entries, and wiki pages. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies the position being referenced. Consider alternatives like "occupied the position" or "served as" for different nuances. While versatile, avoiding ambiguity is key for clarity. The phrase is typically neutral to professional, maintaining objectivity while establishing an individual's credentials.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied the position

Replaces "held" with "occupied", emphasizing the physical or metaphorical space the person filled.

served in the role

Focuses on the action of serving, highlighting the duties and responsibilities undertaken.

officiated in the capacity

Emphasizes the official nature of the position and the individual's function within it.

acted as

Highlights the performance of duties associated with the position, rather than the tenure itself.

carried out the duties of

Similar to 'acted as', but stresses the active execution of responsibilities.

presided over

Implies a leadership role and the act of overseeing activities or events related to the position.

fulfilled the responsibilities of

Focuses on the successful completion of tasks and obligations tied to the position.

discharged the functions of

Highlights the formal and often complex duties associated with the position.

was in charge of

Emphasizes the authority and control the person had over the specified area or function.

maintained the office of

Focuses on the upkeep and continuation of the position's functions and status.

FAQs

How can I use "held the post" in a sentence?

You can use "held the post" to describe someone's tenure in a particular position. For example, "She "held the post" of CEO for over a decade."

What are some alternatives to "held the post"?

Some alternatives include "served as", "occupied the position", or "acted as".

Which is more formal, "held the post" or "had the job"?

"Held the post" is generally more formal than "had the job". The former is often used in professional or official contexts, while the latter is more casual.

Is it correct to say "hold the post" instead of "held the post"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Hold the post" implies present or future occupancy, while "held the post" indicates a past tenure. For example, "He will "hold the post" next year" vs. "He "held the post" last year."