on temporary assignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on temporary assignment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is working in a position or location for a limited period of time. Example: "She is currently on temporary assignment in the marketing department to help with the new campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Sean Smith, an Air Force veteran working on temporary assignment as an information management officer in Libya, was one of the four Americans killed Tuesday in the attack on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi.

The New York Times

He is on temporary assignment in London.

The New York Times

On Sept. 11, she boarded American Airlines Flight 11 for California, where she had been sent on temporary assignment.

The New York Times

Some members of the Secretariat are engaged on permanent contracts, but others serve on temporary assignment from their national governments.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The future David Woods Kemper '41 Professor of American History was clocking hours as a secretary on temporary assignment.

Harvard University

I came to the United States at the age of 12, when the Indian government sent my father to Washington, D.C. on temporary assignment.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The FDIC, for one, is hiring more than 1,400 workers, mostly on temporary assignments, to help handle the case loads in supervision and examination activities and the rising number of bank failures.

Forbes

Some are on temporary assignments.

The New York Times

Mrs. Hart, 34, is a human-resources administrator who is sent on temporary assignments by Rockwood Staffing, a placement agency in Manhattan.

The New York Times

The PPPL employees, who were ­conducting research on fusion energy, were on temporary assignments permitted under DOE regulations.

Princeton University

Many of these consulting firms, also called "body shops," act as middlemen, hiring H-1B's and sending them on temporary assignments for Fortune 500 companies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on temporary assignment", ensure the context clearly indicates the start and end dates or the expected duration to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the timeframe: "She is on temporary assignment for six months."

Common error

Avoid using alternative prepositions like "in" or "at" instead of "on" with "temporary assignment". The correct phrasing is "on temporary assignment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on temporary assignment" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or verb, indicating a state of being temporarily assigned. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on temporary assignment" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a situation where an individual is working in a specific role or location for a limited period. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It is frequently encountered in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's crucial to specify the duration to avoid ambiguity. Common errors include using incorrect prepositions. Related phrases include "on a short-term posting" and "temporarily stationed". Overall, "on temporary assignment" is a reliable phrase for indicating a transient work arrangement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a short-term posting

Emphasizes the brevity of the placement with "short-term" and uses the term "posting" instead of "assignment".

on a temporary detail

Replaces "assignment" with "detail", often used in governmental or organizational contexts.

on a fixed-term secondment

Highlights the defined duration using "fixed-term" and the nature of the placement as a "secondment".

temporarily stationed

Focuses on the act of being located or positioned for a limited time.

on interim duty

Uses "interim" to specify the temporary nature of the duty or responsibility.

working as a temporary contractor

Specifies the employment arrangement as a temporary contract.

temporarily employed

Simple and direct, emphasizing the temporary nature of the employment.

loaned out temporarily

Emphasizes that the individual is being 'loaned' from their original position.

on assignment for a limited duration

Explicitly states the limited duration of the assignment.

performing a temporary function

Highlights that the individual is performing a 'function' for a limited time.

FAQs

How can I use "on temporary assignment" in a sentence?

You can use "on temporary assignment" to describe a situation where someone is working in a different location or role for a limited time. For instance, "He is "on temporary assignment" in our London office." or "She was "on temporary assignment" to the marketing team.".

What are some alternatives to saying "on temporary assignment"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "on a short-term posting", "on interim duty", or "temporarily stationed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in temporary assignment" instead of "on temporary assignment"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "temporary assignment" is "on". Saying "in temporary assignment" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""on temporary assignment"".

What's the difference between "on temporary assignment" and "on a temporary project"?

"On temporary assignment" typically refers to a person being assigned to a role or location for a specific period, while "on a temporary project" refers to working on a specific project that has a limited duration. An assignment is broader and could encompass various tasks, whereas a project is more focused.