interim appointment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interim appointment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a temporary position or role that is filled until a permanent appointment is made. Example: "The board has decided to make an interim appointment for the CEO position while they search for a permanent replacement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He received the governorship of Gaza apparently as an interim appointment before he was appointed Governor of Egypt, although he was deposed three years later by Sultan Selim II.

Wikipedia

The move represented a temporary coup for Democrats, but Republicans questioned its constitutionality, as well as whether McAuliffe can legally appoint Roush to a second interim appointment.

The Washington Post

As a result, Roush's appointment will expire 30 days from Monday — but McAuliffe said late in the day that he he will appoint her to a second interim appointment on Sept 16.

The Washington Post

The Senate would likely confirm whatever puppet attorney general Trump appoints, unless he tries to skirt confirmation by making an interim appointment.

HuffPost

This is definitely not an interim appointment.

The Guardian - Sport

It is unclear whether it will be an interim appointment.

The New York Times

CEO duality implies lower likelihood of interim appointment upon departure.

Harvard University

"At the moment it's an interim appointment but he's got a chance to stake a claim.

Independent

The Senate also voted that the governor could not make an interim appointment.

The New York Times

Mr. Giuliani vociferously opposed Mr. Levy's interim appointment and has not yet spoken with him.

The New York Times

He said there is no provision in current law for any kind of interim appointment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "interim appointment", clearly state the duration or conditions under which the appointment will end to avoid ambiguity. For example, "She was given an "interim appointment" as CEO until a permanent replacement could be found."

Common error

Avoid treating an "interim appointment" as a permanent one. Clearly distinguish the role's temporary nature to manage expectations and ensure a smooth transition when a permanent replacement is chosen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interim appointment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of temporarily assigning someone to a position, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "interim appointment" is a very common and grammatically sound term used to describe a temporary assignment to a position, often until a permanent replacement is found. Ludwig examples demonstrate its prevalence across news, academic, and wiki contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to communicate the temporary nature of a role, and while alternatives like "temporary assignment" exist, "interim appointment" maintains a formal and widely understood meaning. When using it, ensure the temporary conditions are clear to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Interim designation

Directly replaces "appointment" with "designation", maintaining a similar meaning.

Temporary assignment

Focuses on the assignment being temporary, emphasizing the duration.

Provisional designation

Highlights the conditional nature of the designation until a permanent one is made.

Acting incumbency

Implies someone is temporarily holding a position of power or office.

Transitional placement

Emphasizes the role as a bridge to a more permanent solution.

Caretaker role

Focuses on the responsibility of maintaining the position until a successor is found.

Short-term nomination

Highlights the brevity and official nature of the appointment.

Limited-term assignment

Explicitly states the assignment has a defined and short duration.

Time-limited post

Stresses the restricted period for which the position is available.

Officiating capacity

Highlights the formal, though temporary, role one is fulfilling.

FAQs

How to use "interim appointment" in a sentence?

You can use "interim appointment" to describe a temporary role. For example, "Due to the sudden departure of the CEO, the board made an "interim appointment" until a permanent replacement is found."

What can I say instead of "interim appointment"?

You can use alternatives like "temporary assignment", "provisional designation", or "caretaker role" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "interim appointment" and "temporary appointment"?

"Interim appointment" often implies a slightly more formal or official capacity than "temporary appointment", though they are largely interchangeable. Both denote a non-permanent role.

When is it appropriate to use the term "interim appointment"?

The term "interim appointment" is appropriate when describing a temporary position filled until a permanent candidate is selected. It's commonly used in professional, governmental, and organizational contexts.