sought a position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sought a position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone actively looking for a job or role within an organization. Example: "After graduating, she sought a position in a reputable marketing firm to kickstart her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

At the urging of his father-in-law, he sought a position on Wall Street.

The New York Times

Tagore neither agreed nor disagreed but sought a position of compromise between East and West.

The New York Times - Arts

Initially, she sought a position similar to the one she had lost, but without success.

The New York Times

In his withdrawal speech Mr Abdullah sought the moral high ground by declaring that he had not sought a position in a coalition with Mr Karzai and had taken his decision as a change of direction from the old order.

Independent

With his ascension to the mainly ceremonial position of Senate president pro tempore, the most senior senator of the majority party, Mr. Leahy has something he had never sought, a position in leadership.

The New York Times

Alicia Dean-Hall, for example, says that she had sought a position available in the advertising and media sales team last year where she could earn as much as $250,000.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The complaint said Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, was seeking a position that paid $250,000 to $300,000 a year.

The New York Times

He told Newsweek: "It is not a question of seeking a position.

The New York Times

From the colony he will seek a position aboard a passenger ship for his native London.

The Guardian - Books

The woman, who was seeking a position as an in-house lawyer, also sent her a postcard from her vacation.

The New York Times

But Macfarlane has indicated he would seek a position if there was a vacancy, on the basis of merit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing synonyms for "sought a position". Words like "applied", "pursued", or "looked for" can subtly shift the nuance of your writing.

Common error

While "sought a position" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing formal language in informal contexts. In casual conversations, consider using more natural alternatives such as "looked for a job" or "tried to get a role".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sought a position" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of actively looking for employment or a specific role. As Ludwig AI suggests, it accurately describes a formal job-seeking endeavor, aligning with numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sought a position" accurately describes the action of actively looking for employment, generally with a formal or professional tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. While synonyms like "looked for a job" exist, "sought a position" conveys a more deliberate and official attempt to secure employment. Its frequency is common, particularly in news, scientific, and professional contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looked for a job

Replaces "sought" with a more common synonym "looked for" and "position" with the synonym "job".

applied for a post

Uses "applied for" to convey the action of seeking and substitutes "position" with "post".

pursued an opportunity

Employs "pursued" to indicate active seeking and replaces "position" with a broader term, "opportunity".

tried to find employment

Uses "tried to find" instead of "sought" and replaces "position" with the general term "employment".

searched for a vacancy

Substitutes "sought" with "searched for" and "position" with "vacancy", emphasizing availability.

aimed for a role

Uses "aimed for" instead of "sought" and replaces "position" with the more specific term "role".

sought employment

Simplifies the phrase by removing "a position" and just using "employment".

desired a placement

Replaces "sought" with "desired" and substitutes "position" with "placement".

courted a prospect

Uses "courted" instead of "sought" to imply a more active and strategic approach, replacing "position" with "prospect".

put oneself forward

Replaces "sought a position" with an idiomatic expression indicating self-nomination or application.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "sought a position"?

Alternatives include "looked for a job", "applied for a post", or "pursued an opportunity", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "sought a position" formal or informal?

"Sought a position" is generally considered a more formal way of saying someone was looking for a job. It's appropriate for professional settings and written communication, but may sound overly formal in casual conversation.

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

You can use "sought a position" to describe someone actively looking for employment, as in: "After graduating, she "sought a position" in a marketing firm".

What is the difference between "sought a position" and "found a position"?

"Sought a position" means someone was actively looking for a job, while "found a position" means they were successful in their job search and obtained a job.