hold a position

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold a position" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a job or a role that someone has. For example, "Jack has been holding the position of CEO for the past 5 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They rarely hold a position for long.

The New Yorker

Likewise, hold a position only for as long as you can manage with excellent form.

Harvard University

"We expect our police to be beyond reproach as they hold a position of trust.

The Guardian

"It is still difficult for a woman to hold a position of political power.

The Guardian

For instance, administrators who hold a "position of responsibility" while performing nonmanual work could be excluded.

The New York Times

(45) An application for authority to hold a position as officer or director under 49 U.S.C. 11328 $900.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He still holds a position at Columbia University.

The Guardian

From 1933 to 1936 he held a position at Trinity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From January 2010 to December 2011, he held a position as a visiting researcher at UC Berkeley and now currently holds a position as a visiting researcher at UC San Diego.

University of California, Berkeley

At the time, I held a position of responsibility at the Washington Post.

The New Yorker

Because the Roman Catholic Church supported nationalist aspirations, it held a position of influence in the postindependence period.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about taking a specific physical posture for example in yoga or in the military use "hold a position".

Common error

Avoid using the incorrect tense of "hold". Ensure the tense aligns with the context. For instance, use "held a position" for past roles and "will hold a position" for future roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold a position" functions as a verbal phrase often used to indicate someone's occupation or role within an organization, or a physical action. Ludwig examples confirm its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

20%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold a position" is a versatile and common expression used to describe occupying a role, job, or maintaining a stance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is frequently found in news, academic, and general contexts. For alternatives, consider "occupy a post", "fill a position", or "retain a role". When writing, ensure the correct verb tense and maintain consistency with the context. Using "hold a position" accurately conveys information about someone's status or responsibilities, contributing to clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupy a post

Replaces "hold" with "occupy", focusing on the act of filling a role.

retain a role

Focuses on the continuation of holding a specific role or job.

fill a position

Emphasizes the act of taking on a specific role or job.

assume a position

Highlights the act of taking on a role, often with a sense of responsibility.

uphold a position

Focuses on maintaining and defending a specific role or job against challenges.

exercise a role

Emphasizes the active performance and utilization of a role's responsibilities.

maintain a stance

Shifts the context to expressing and defending a particular viewpoint or belief.

serve in a capacity

Highlights the act of performing duties or responsibilities within a certain role.

sit on a board

Specific to roles on a board of directors or similar governing body.

be employed as a

Focuses on employment status and the specific role one fulfills.

FAQs

What does it mean to "hold a position"?

To "hold a position" generally means to occupy a job, rank, or role within an organization or context. It can also refer to physically maintaining a certain posture.

How can I use "hold a position" in a sentence?

You can say, "She "occupies a post" as the company's CFO", or "The soldiers were instructed to "maintain a stance" at the border".

What are some alternatives to "hold a position"?

Alternatives include "fill a position", "retain a role", or "serve in a capacity", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "holding a position"?

Yes, "holding a position" is grammatically correct and refers to the act of currently occupying a job or role. For example, "She is currently holding a position on the board".