held the title

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held the title" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's title or rank. For example: He held the title of President from 2009 to 2017.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He held the title of artistic director.

The New York Times - Arts

Most recently, he held the title vice president for communications.

The New York Times

His father, Romanus, once held the title of chief.

The New York Times - Sports

Only 17 others held the title at the time.

The New York Times

Under Shāpūr I, he held the title of ehrpat ("master of learning").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Luisi, who held the title of principal guest conductor, was instantly upgraded to principal conductor.

The New York Times - Arts

Your work seems very different from that of those who have previously held the title.

The New York Times

He fought eight champions, most of them before they held the title and some afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

Jeffrey Zients has held the title of acting director since then.

The New York Times

Valery Gergiev held the title of principal guest conductor from 1998 to 2008.

The New York Times - Arts

For almost two years, Lesnar held the title of U.F.C. champion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held the title", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration or period of time the title was held. For example, specify the start and end dates or any significant events that occurred during that time.

Common error

Avoid using "hold the title" when referring to a past position. Use "held the title" to accurately reflect that the individual previously occupied that role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held the title" functions as a verb phrase indicating the past possession or occupancy of a particular position, rank, or championship. It's commonly used to describe someone's previous role or achievement, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

21%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held the title" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that someone previously occupied a specific position, rank, or championship. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in neutral to formal contexts such as news articles, encyclopedias, and professional communications. When writing, remember to use "held the title" to refer to past roles and provide appropriate context, such as the duration or key events during their tenure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possessed the title

Replaces "held" with "possessed", emphasizing ownership or control of the title.

reigned as

Implies a period of rule or dominance associated with a particular title.

occupied the position of

Emphasizes the occupation of a specific role or position.

served as

Focuses on the period of service in a role, rather than specifically the title itself.

was the incumbent

Highlights the current or past occupancy of a position.

carried the designation of

Focuses on the formal naming or labeling associated with the position.

boasted the title

Adds a sense of pride or achievement to holding the title.

laid claim to the title

Highlights that someone held the title, even if disputed.

exercised authority as

Indicates the active use of the power associated with the held title.

had the honor of

Emphasizes the prestige associated with holding a particular title.

FAQs

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

You can use "held the title" to describe someone who previously possessed a specific position or rank. For example: "She "held the title" of CEO for five years."

What are some alternatives to saying "held the title"?

Alternatives include "served as", "reigned as", or "occupied the position of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "holds the title" if someone previously "held the title"?

No, "holds the title" indicates a current position. Use "held the title" to refer to a past position.

What's the difference between "held the title" and "has held the title"?

"Held the title" refers to a completed period in the past. "Has held the title" implies that the person's actions or influence from that time are still relevant or have ongoing effects.