his profession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "his profession" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's job or career in a general context. Example: "He has always been passionate about his profession as a teacher."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chose accounting as his profession.

The New York Times

The first is his profession.

The Economist

He betrayed his profession.

The New York Times

To each his profession".

The Guardian

What was his profession?

The Guardian - Books

Akers said his profession was highly technical.

The New York Times - Sports

Advocacy, after all, is his profession.

The Economist

His profession is no idle detail.

The New York Times

Swans are the bane to his profession.

The New Yorker

An icon of his profession.

The New York Times

He has a passion for his profession.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "his profession", ensure the context provides sufficient information or prior knowledge about the individual being discussed to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "After years of study, he excelled in his profession as a surgeon."

Common error

Avoid using "his profession" when describing hobbies or leisure activities. "Profession" specifically refers to paid employment or a vocation. Instead, use phrases like "his passion" or "his hobby" for non-employment activities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his profession" functions as a noun phrase indicating someone's occupation or career. It's a common way to refer to a person's job, reflecting their skills, training, and role in the workforce. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "his profession" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote someone's job or career. As Ludwig confirms, it is appropriate for diverse contexts, especially within news, encyclopedic entries, and scientific discussions. When using the phrase, ensure the context provides sufficient information about the individual and that it aligns with paid employment rather than hobbies or passions. Alternatives such as "his occupation" or "his career" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his job

Simplest and most direct alternative for his profession.

his occupation

Replaces "profession" with a more general term for employment.

his career

Focuses on the long-term aspect of someone's professional life, rather than a specific job.

his line of work

Informal way of referring to someone's type of job or industry.

his field of expertise

Emphasizes the specialized knowledge and skills associated with his job.

his vocational calling

Suggests a strong sense of purpose and dedication to the work.

his trade

Highlights skills-based occupation, specifically manual or craft work.

his craft

Highlights skills and artistry involved in his work.

his specialty

Referring to a particular area of expertise within a broader field.

his area of practice

Commonly used in legal or medical fields.

FAQs

How can I use "his profession" in a sentence?

You can use "his profession" to describe someone's job or career, as in "He is dedicated to "his profession" as a doctor" or "She excelled in "her profession" as a lawyer".

What's the difference between "his profession" and "his occupation"?

"His profession" often implies a higher level of training and expertise, while "his occupation" is a more general term for what someone does for a living. You might say ""his profession" requires years of study", but "his occupation is how he earns a living".

Are there more formal alternatives to "his profession"?

Yes, "his vocation" or "his calling" can be more formal, implying a deep commitment. However, ""his profession"" is generally suitable for most contexts.

What can I use instead of "his profession" if I don't know the specific job?

If you don't know the specific job, you can use more general terms like "his line of work" or "what he does for a living".