held the role of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held the role of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is usually used in a formal context and implies that someone has a particular designation, responsibility, or job for a period of time. For example, "For three years, he held the role of manager at a local restaurant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I've held the role of principle beat officer for the last five years.

The Guardian

Jen Soch joins from Amplifi US where she held the role of Managing Director, Digital Investment.

The Guardian

Earlier in his career Zwillenberg held the role of managing director of DMG Media Digital.

The Guardian

April previously held the role of chef de partie at The Club at The Ivy.

The Guardian

He joined from Sunday Business, where he held the role of media editor, in 1998.

The Guardian

Denham has held the role of information and privacy commissioner in British Columbia since 2010.

The Guardian

There were no reflections then on a wider antisemitism crisis, although Livingstone then held the role of London mayor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Additionally, Steve held the role of Chief Technology Officer at Vicinity, a mapping company acquired by Microsoft in 2002.

Stanford University

The group noted that no woman has held the role of secretary general, so we asked if it is time for a woman to take the top job.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Both Cohen and Sinclair have held the roles of executive leaders.

The Guardian

Before joining Guardian US, Spencer worked at Fusion, where she held the roles of editor-in-chief, digital and senior vice president, emerging platforms.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's professional background, use "held the role of" to clearly indicate a specific position they occupied and the responsibilities they managed.

Common error

Avoid using the present tense when describing past roles. It's incorrect to say "He holds the role of manager in 2010"; instead, use the past tense: "He held the role of manager in 2010".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held the role of" functions as a verbal phrase that typically introduces a description of someone's past employment or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in formal contexts to specify a designation, responsibility, or job for a period of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held the role of" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to describe someone's past position or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically used in formal contexts and across varied categories, including News & Media and Academia. The most common contexts for the phrase fall into the News & Media category. When using the phrase, ensure you're using the correct tense and remember that while alternatives like "served as" can be used, "held the role of" specifically emphasizes the responsibilities and functions associated with the position.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

served as

Focuses on the action of performing duties.

functioned as

Emphasizes the practical application and responsibilities of the position.

occupied the position of

Highlights the formal holding of a specific job title.

acted as

Suggests a temporary or substitute performance of duties.

was employed as

Focuses on the employment aspect of the role.

officiated as

Implies a formal or official capacity.

presided over

Highlights the leadership aspect of a role.

superintended

Focuses on overseeing and managing responsibilities.

undertook the duties of

Emphasizes the responsibilities and tasks associated with the position.

carried out the function of

Highlights the functional aspect and execution of tasks.

FAQs

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

Use "held the role of" to describe a past position someone occupied, for example, "She held the role of CEO before retiring".

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

You can use alternatives like "served as", "functioned as", or "occupied the position of" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "hold the role of" when referring to a past position?

No, "hold the role of" is present tense. Use "held the role of" for past positions.

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

While similar, "held the role of" often implies responsibilities and functions, whereas "held the position of" primarily emphasizes the formal title. Both are correct, but context may favor one over the other.