profession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a person's occupation or career, often in a formal context. Example: "Her profession as a doctor requires years of education and training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has sometimes meant taking on the vested interests of the medical profession, and Seddon's description of SalaUna suggests that power lies with the managers of the business, who use contracts, incentives, data and dismissal as tools to shape the behaviour of clinicians.

The Guardian

To people within the economics profession, Yellen's qualifications are obvious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Graduates who earn more will repay more each month, so the system is fair and affordable; and those who enter a more lucrative profession will pay a higher rate of interest, and ultimately contribute more to the cost of their university education.

The Guardian

Roney died in 1930 at the age of 43, his death certificate listing his profession as footballer although he had not played for years.

The Guardian - Sport

It is all part of the process of maintaining some dignity in a massively overcrowded and unfair profession.

The Guardian

It's associated with the times the medical profession have dismissed me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Repeated studies on the makeup of the legal profession have shown that, despite efforts to widen participation, such criticisms are fair.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clinical officers complete a three year training programme and although part of the medical profession, have no formal equivalent position in the West, resulting in higher domestic retention.

The Guardian

One solution to this problem could be from task shifting the roles of health professionals beyond the medical profession.

The Guardian

Architecture has always been a male-dominated profession, inevitably leading to a propensity for priapic forms.

The Guardian - Arts

My dad was a semi-professional footballer and had some physio, which introduced me to the profession.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the connotations associated with "profession". It often implies specialized knowledge, training, and ethical standards.

Common error

Avoid using "profession" in extremely casual conversations where simpler terms like "job" or "work" would suffice. Overusing formal vocabulary can sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "profession" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a specific type of occupation that requires advanced education and training. As demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, it often describes a career path with defined ethical standards and specialized knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "profession" is a versatile noun used to describe an occupation requiring specialized knowledge and training. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While highly frequent and generally appropriate, it's important to consider the context and choose synonyms like "occupation" or "career" for more informal settings. The provided guidance aims to enhance clarity and prevent overuse, ensuring effective communication. Overall, "profession" remains a valuable term for precisely defining careers that demand expertise and ethical conduct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Occupation

A general term for what someone does for a living.

Career

Refers to a long-term path of work, often involving progression.

Professional field

Specifically highlights the expertise and training required.

Vocation

Implies a strong feeling of suitability for a particular job or career.

Line of work

An informal way to describe someone's job.

Field

Describes a broad area of work or study.

Area of expertise

Focuses on the specific skills and knowledge a person possesses.

Trade

Usually involves manual skills and specialized knowledge.

Craft

Similar to trade, but emphasizes artistry and skill.

Calling

Suggests a strong personal motivation for a particular career.

FAQs

What's the difference between "profession" and "occupation"?

"Profession" often implies specialized knowledge, training, and ethical standards, while "occupation" is a more general term for what someone does to earn a living.

When is it appropriate to use the word "profession"?

Use "profession" when referring to careers that require extensive education and training, such as medicine, law, or engineering. It's also suitable in formal writing and discussions about career paths.

What are some common examples of a "profession"?

Common examples include doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, and accountant. These "professional fields" typically require a university degree and often involve licensing or certification.

Is "job" an acceptable substitute for "profession"?

"Job" is a more general term and can be used in many contexts where "profession" might seem too formal. However, it doesn't carry the same implication of specialized expertise and ethical responsibility.