holds a position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "holds a position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's role or job within an organization or context. Example: "She holds a position as the lead project manager at the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He still holds a position at Columbia University.

The Guardian

Each of the contributors holds a position contrary to Fodor's.

Stanford University

Governor Brown holds a position on the board of trustees for both Cal State and UC.

The New York Times

Suggest with gravitas that everyone holds a position; zonal marking; pass, not move; tiki taka and such and such.

Independent

Either way, Yellen holds a position of immense power, and her decision will affect the entire country.

Independent

If the officeholder already holds a position, however, "who types up the position paper is not significant," he said.

The New York Times

Flint, the shadow energy secretary, also holds a position as the party's champion for the south-east.

The Guardian

The discovery was announced by Arizona State University in Tempe, where Dr. Sugiyama also holds a position as research professor.

The New York Times - Science

A riot police officer holds a position as others advance after clearing a barricade during the demonstration in Bourges.

The Guardian - Arts

He is the area head of local government and in India holds a position of considerable power and influence.

Nature

Just how much would it cheer these mothers up to learn that a woman holds a position of enterprise leadership at Newsweek/The Daily Beast?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "holds a position" when you want to emphasize the level of authority or responsibility associated with a particular role.

Common error

Avoid using "holds a position" to describe personal opinions or beliefs. This phrase is best reserved for formal roles or duties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holds a position" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone occupies a specific job, role, or office. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science & Research

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "holds a position" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's job, role, or authority. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various formal contexts. Primarily found in news, academic, and scientific sources, it's best reserved for describing official roles rather than personal beliefs. Alternatives like "occupies a post" or "serves in a capacity" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupies a post

Replaces "holds" with "occupies" and "position" with "post", indicating a formal role.

serves in a capacity

Emphasizes the function or duty performed rather than just the title.

fulfills a role

Focuses on the action of performing duties associated with a specific position.

takes on the role

Focuses on accepting and embodying the duties of a particular position.

exercises authority

Highlights the power or influence associated with the role.

is employed as

Directly states that someone is working in a certain capacity.

assumes a responsibility

Highlights the act of taking on duties rather than the formal title.

maintains a station

Implies a stable or long-term occupancy of a particular rank or place.

officiates as

Suggests a formal or official capacity.

has a job

A simpler and more general way of expressing employment or a defined task.

FAQs

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

You can use "holds a position" to describe someone's job or role. For example: "She holds a position as the lead project manager at the company."

What's a formal alternative to "holds a position"?

Formal alternatives include "occupies a post" or "serves in a capacity", which emphasize the function or duty performed.

Is it correct to say "hold a position" instead of "holds a position"?

The correct conjugation depends on the subject. Use "hold a position" with plural subjects (e.g., "They hold a position"), and "holds a position" with singular subjects (e.g., "She holds a position").

Can "holds a position" refer to a belief or opinion?

While "position" can refer to an opinion, "holds a position" typically describes a formal role or job. For opinions, consider using phrases like "maintains a view" or "expresses a belief".