intern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a student or recent graduate undergoing practical training in a professional setting, often as part of their education. Example: "She secured an intern position at a leading marketing firm for the summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When I was an intern at Croydon I worked with young people to raise awareness and discovered that some members of staff and students had undergone FGM themselves.

The Guardian

I know that a lot of young people can't afford to intern or volunteer and I can completely relate to that.

The Guardian

Rebecca Lees is an economic regeneration project assistant at Lewes district council who started as a graduate intern and became involved in co-ordinating complex regeneration meetings and helping to organise a major music festival.

The Guardian

The Warriors defensive coordinator, Aden Durde, had worked as an intern for the Cowboys last summer and spotted the 6ft 6in, 255lb Obada's potential.

The Guardian - Sport

One of the acts, the alien enemies act, was used by Franklin D Roosevelt to intern Japanese Americans during the second world war, another egregious example of government overreaction in the name of security.

The Guardian - Tech

Since starting his Yankees career as an intern in 1986, Cashman has probably managed more crises than any of his peers.

The New York Times - Sports

She said the much-derided cover image represented "the beginning of the story, where the narrator is an intern at a women's magazine in New York in the 1950s and is encountering the conflict between new freedom and old assumptions about women's aspirations".

The Guardian - Books

She started out as a marketing intern at London station Kiss FM, going on to present its drivetime show before BBC 1Xtra came calling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This summer she also turned to eBay to secure extra cash to fund a year abroad, working as an intern at an advertising and branding agency in Paris.

The Guardian - Money

If nothing else, your organisation needs to engage its staff through effective day-to-day interaction between workers and managers, and this is easier in startups, where the CEO might sit next to the intern.

The Guardian

By making his reappearance at intern level, Galliano has shown a humility which will help smooth his rehabilitation – but under the wing of De la Renta, he has been able to offer his creations at a blue-chip show, without an ugly tussle to persuade the industry to attend his show.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the role of an "intern", be specific about their responsibilities and the skills they will develop.

Common error

Avoid using "intern" interchangeably with "employee". An "intern" is typically a student or recent graduate gaining experience, while an employee is a regular member of staff.

Linguistic Context

The word "intern" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a student or recent graduate gaining work experience. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to work as an intern. Ludwig examples confirm both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "intern" is a common term with dual functionality, serving as both a noun and a verb, primarily used to describe individuals gaining practical experience in a professional environment. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and finds frequent usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When writing about "interns", specify their roles and responsibilities for clarity and avoid using "intern" as a direct synonym for "employee". Alternatives like "trainee" or "apprentice" might be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Trainee

Focuses on the learning and development aspect of the role.

Graduate trainee

Specifies that the trainee is a recent graduate.

Apprentice

Emphasizes hands-on training and skill acquisition, often in a trade.

Placement student

Suggests the role is part of a student's academic program.

Co-op student

Specifically refers to a cooperative education program.

Work experience student

Highlights that the role is for gaining practical experience.

Junior employee

Highlights the employee's position within the company's hierarchy.

Entry-level worker

Indicates the employee is at the beginning of their career.

Temporary staff member

Emphasizes the limited duration of the employment.

Assistant

Focuses on the supportive nature of the role.

FAQs

How to use "intern" in a sentence?

You can use "intern" to describe a person undergoing training, as in "She worked as an intern at a law firm". Alternatively, it can be used as a verb, as in "I will intern at the hospital this summer".

What can I say instead of "intern"?

You can use alternatives like "trainee", "apprentice", or "junior employee" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "intern" and "employee"?

An "intern" is typically a student or recent graduate gaining experience, usually for a limited period. An "employee" is a regular staff member with a more permanent role and full employment benefits.

Is it correct to use "intern" as a verb?

Yes, it's acceptable to use "intern" as a verb, meaning to work as an intern, as in "I'm planning to intern at Google this summer".