served as an apprentice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "served as an apprentice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's experience or role in a learning capacity under the guidance of a more experienced individual in a specific trade or profession. Example: "After completing his education, he served as an apprentice to a master carpenter for two years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The pen name of Samuel L. Clemens, Twain served as an apprentice pilot and licensed pilot on Mississippi steamboats.

The New York Times - Arts

From 1928 to 1931 he served as an apprentice to John H. Garo, a Boston painter and portrait photographer, and briefly attended evening classes at art school.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After completing his education, Schrempp served as an apprentice mechanic at the Mercedes-Benz plant in his hometown, Freiburg im Breisgau, and qualified as a graduate engineer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Returning to Shochiku Motion Picture Company, Tokyo, he served as an apprentice director until he made his debut in 1952 with Musuko no seishun (1952; My Son's Youth).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Back home in Czechoslovakia, while still a little fellow, he served as an apprentice instructor & went into the business on his own as soon as he qualified.

The New Yorker

Bartolommeo served as an apprentice in the workshop of Cosimo Rosselli and then formed a workshop with the painter Mariotto Albertinelli.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Wegner created his first chair in 1931 while serving as an apprentice cabinetmaker.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hamilton received nothing, and was bound to serve as an apprentice.

The Guardian

He moved to Hanau, where he attended evening art classes while serving as an apprentice in metalworking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After his family moved to Indiana, he did various jobs farming, working in a sawmill, and serving as an apprentice in a blacksmith shop and foundry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After serving as an apprentice to London publisher William Ponsonby, Blount in 1588 became a freeman of the Stationers' Company and opened a bookshop in London.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "served as an apprentice", specify the trade or skill being learned to provide context for the reader. For instance, "served as an apprentice carpenter".

Common error

Avoid using "served as an apprentice" without mentioning the field. Saying "He served as an apprentice" leaves the reader wondering what skill or trade was being learned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "served as an apprentice" functions as a verbal phrase that describes a period of training or learning under the guidance of a more experienced person. It indicates a specific role the subject had, learning a skill or trade, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

46%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "served as an apprentice" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a period of learning under the guidance of an expert. As Ludwig AI states, it's perfectly usable in written English to describe someone's role in a learning capacity. It's frequently found in encyclopedias, news media, and academic texts, reflecting its relevance across various domains. To ensure clarity, specifying the trade or skill being learned is crucial. While alternatives like "worked as an apprentice" or "trained as an apprentice" exist, "served as an apprentice" effectively communicates a structured learning experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked as an apprentice

Focuses on the labor aspect of the apprenticeship.

trained as an apprentice

Emphasizes the training and skill development.

apprenticed under

Highlights the mentorship relationship with the expert.

was an apprentice to

Directly indicates the person or entity providing the apprenticeship.

gained experience as an apprentice

Focuses on the accumulation of experience during the apprenticeship.

underwent an apprenticeship

Highlights the process of completing an apprenticeship.

served an apprenticeship with

Specifies the duration or type of apprenticeship.

learned the trade as an apprentice

Emphasizes the acquisition of skills specific to a trade.

interned as an apprentice

Highlights the learning and training through internship as an apprentice.

assisted as an apprentice

Focuses on the supporting role while learning as an apprentice.

FAQs

What is another way to say "served as an apprentice"?

You can use alternatives like "worked as an apprentice", "trained as an apprentice", or "apprenticed under" depending on the context.

How do I use "served as an apprentice" in a sentence?

You can say, "After graduating, he "served as an apprentice" to a master craftsman for three years".

Is it correct to say "served as apprentice" without the article?

No, it is not grammatically correct. You should always include the article "an" before "apprentice" because it is a singular noun beginning with a vowel sound. The correct phrase is ""served as an apprentice"".

What's the difference between "served as an intern" and ""served as an apprentice""?

While both involve learning on the job, an internship is often shorter and focused on gaining general experience, while an apprenticeship is a longer-term commitment focused on mastering a specific trade or craft.