past position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a previous job or role that someone held in the past. Example: "In my past position as a marketing manager, I developed several successful campaigns that increased brand awareness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Other pro-immigration Republicans are not hobbled by sticking with their past position.

The Washington Post

Those words represent a radical reversal of Mr. Sadr's past position.

The New York Times

It is borne out of an apparently genuine desire and his past position as a communities minister.

The Guardian

Will Republican candidate E.W. Jackson reaffirm a past position by accusing his Democratic opponent of representing the Antichrist?

The Washington Post

A distributed linear consensus protocol with second-order dynamics is designed, where both the current and some sampled past position data are utilized.

Automatica

If they were clinging to every past position, the flip-flop police would be busting them for stubbornness and rigidity in the face of changing circumstances.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Stay positive and discuss what you learned in past positions.

WikiHow

Both women beat more conservative candidates while adopting anti-immigration stances inconsistent with their past positions.

The New York Times

As Biden's running mate, Abrams would be in the uncomfortable position of defending Biden's past positions.

The Washington Post

"How much do Independent voters really know about Barack Obama, his voting record, and his past positions?" Penn asked recently.

The New Yorker

This look back generates dramatic confrontations at Congressional hearings, sells books, hypes cable ratings and wallows in justifying past positions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "past position" in a resume or interview, focus on the skills and experiences gained, and how they relate to the target role. Quantify achievements whenever possible to demonstrate impact.

Common error

When referencing a "past position", refrain from focusing excessively on negative aspects or conflicts. Instead, frame the experience positively, highlighting what you learned and how you grew professionally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past position" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly refers to a job, role, or viewpoint that someone held at an earlier time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "past position" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a role, job, or viewpoint held previously. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While it carries a neutral tone, it's vital to use it judiciously, focusing on relevant skills and experiences when discussing it in professional settings. Common errors include dwelling on negative aspects, which should be avoided to maintain a positive and forward-looking narrative. Alternatives like "former role" or ""previous post"" can be used for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former role

Replaces "position" with "role", emphasizing the function or capacity held.

previous post

Uses "post" instead of "position", suitable for formal contexts like employment or military service.

prior stance

Focuses on a viewpoint or attitude held in the past, rather than a job.

earlier job

A simpler, more informal way to refer to a previous employment.

historical viewpoint

Emphasizes that the position is related to an opinion or attitude from history.

past employment

Highlights the employment aspect of the position.

old job

Informal way to refer to a previous job.

initial position

Focuses on the position as the first in a sequence or career.

preceding role

Emphasizes the role that came immediately before the current one.

track record

Refers to the record someone held in the past in terms of experience and accomplishments

FAQs

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

You can use "past position" to refer to a job, role, or stance you previously held. For example, "In my "past position" at the company, I managed a team of five developers."

What's a formal way to say "past position"?

A formal alternative to "past position" is "former role" or "previous post". These options are suitable in formal contexts like employment applications or official communications.

Is it okay to mention a "past position" if I was fired?

Yes, it's acceptable to mention a "past position" even if you were terminated. Frame the experience positively, focusing on what you learned. Be honest and concise about the reason for leaving, without dwelling on negativity. You can also prepare a short explanation and a key learning from that "past position".

What's the difference between "past position" and "previous position"?

The terms "past position" and "previous position" are largely interchangeable and can be used to refer to a role or job held before your current one. The difference is very subtle and mostly stylistic.