holding the position of

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the phrase "holding the position of" in written English.
For example, you might say "He is currently holding the position of CEO at a large tech company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

She served on the Einstein Board of Overseers for 30 years, holding the position of secretary from 1980 to 1999.

The New York Times

Blé Goudé, 44, was a close ally of Gbagbo, holding the position of youth and employment minister in his government.

The Guardian

At the age of 21 he was appointed professor at the Royal Conservatory in the Hague, later holding the position of Erasmus professor at Harvard University.

The Guardian - Music

Ms. May joined the company in May 2002 after holding the position of chief operating officer for the Gymboree Corporation, the children's apparel company.

The New York Times

Wilkins joined Oldham from Rossendale district council in 2009, after holding the position of chief executive for two and a half years.

The Guardian

Before BT he worked for the BBC including holding the position of Secretary, responsible for the Corporation's governance and accountability between 2000 and 2005.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

He also held the position of president of the Chelsea Block Association.

The New York Times

Since 1946, eight have held the position of secretary general.

The New York Times

Under neither situation should you hold the position of justice of the Supreme Court".

The New York Times

For more than a decade, Patrick Cassignol has held the position of director of the Bureau of Found Objects.

The New Yorker

Mr. Tamez, 50, held the position of associate special agent in charge of the New York office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's role, use "holding the position of" to clearly state their current occupation, especially in formal writing or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "holding the position of" when a simpler verb like "is" or "serves as" would suffice. Redundancy can make your writing sound less concise and professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding the position of" functions as a verbal phrase that introduces a noun phrase specifying a particular job or role. This is evident from Ludwig's examples, which showcase its use in various contexts, describing individuals' occupations or responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "holding the position of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's current role or occupation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by using simpler alternatives like "is" or "serves as" when appropriate. As a best practice, use this phrase for clarity and formality, particularly in professional settings. Several related phrases, such as "occupying the post of" or "serving as", offer alternative ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupying the post of

Focuses on the act of filling a specific job or duty.

serving as

Emphasizes the service or function performed in the role.

fulfilling the role of

Highlights the responsibilities and duties associated with the position.

acting as

Suggests a temporary or non-permanent role.

in the capacity of

Refers to the official or designated function one performs.

exercising the functions of

Implies actively performing the duties and powers of the role

working as

General term indicating employment or activity in a particular role.

tasked with

Highlights the responsibilities and duties associated with the position

designated as

Focuses on the act of being formally appointed or selected.

officiating as

Used for positions with a formal or ceremonial aspect

FAQs

How can I use "holding the position of" in a sentence?

You can use "holding the position of" to describe someone's current role or job title, such as "She is currently holding the position of CEO".

What are some alternatives to "holding the position of"?

Alternatives include "serving as", "acting as", or "occupying the post of", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "holding the position of" and "held the position of"?

"Holding the position of" indicates a current role, while "held the position of" indicates a past role. The tense changes the meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "holding the position of" instead of a simpler phrase?

Use "holding the position of" when you want to emphasize the formal or official nature of someone's role. Simpler phrases like "is" or "serves as" are often suitable in less formal contexts.