in office

USAGE SUMMARY

"in office" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is most often used to refer to someone who holds an official position, either political or in the business world. For example, "John Smith has been in office as Mayor of Chicago since 2011."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Lyons died in office.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remains in office.

The New Yorker

In office, he abolished it.

The Economist

Yet he remains in office.

The Economist

"Amma back in office" (2001).

The Economist

You want Islamists in office?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Or a built-in office, custom installed.

The New York Times

President-in-Office of the Council.

EU Parlament

Reduced costs in-office have been demonstrated.

American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy

All had in-office online access.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Consider in-office professional whitening treatments.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific period, specify the dates or duration, e.g., "He implemented significant reforms while "in office" from 2010 to 2015."

Common error

Avoid assuming that actions taken during a person's time "in office" are solely their responsibility; acknowledge the influence of teams, advisors, and external factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in office" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the time or duration during which someone holds a particular position or performs certain actions. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment and the various examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in office" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone holding an official position, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily functioning as an adverbial phrase, it specifies the period during which actions or events occur. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, especially in news, encyclopedias, and general writing. While alternatives like ""holding office"" or ""during tenure"" exist, "in office" is widely understood and frequently used. When using the phrase, it is crucial to be specific about the duration and to avoid over-attributing responsibility solely to the person "in office". Ludwig's examples demonstrate its prevalence and versatility across diverse sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

holding office

Focuses on the action of actively occupying a position.

during tenure

Highlights the period of time someone occupies a position.

while incumbent

Emphasizes the current holder of a position.

in power

Highlights the authority and control associated with a position.

during administration

Specifically refers to the period of governance.

at the helm

Uses a metaphorical term for leading an organization.

in command

Stresses the leadership aspect of the position.

serving a term

Focuses on the duration for which someone is elected or appointed.

at the post

Emphasizes the role and responsibilities tied to a post.

discharging duties

Highlights the performance of responsibilities in a given role.

FAQs

How is the phrase "in office" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "in office" generally describes the period when someone is actively holding a formal position. For example, "She implemented several key policies while "holding office"."

What are some alternatives to saying "in office"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "during tenure", "while incumbent", or "in power" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in the office" when referring to someone holding a political position?

While "in the office" refers to someone's physical location, "in office" refers to someone holding a position of authority. The phrases are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "in office" and "out of office"?

"In office" indicates that someone is currently holding a position, while "out of office" means they are no longer holding that position. For example, "He accomplished a lot while "holding office", but now he is "no longer in office"."