take up office

USAGE SUMMARY

"take up office" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it when someone has been appointed to a job or position and is ready to formally take over or officially assume their duties or responsibilities. Example sentence: After the election, the new mayor took up office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Celtic said he would join the board as chairman-designate on Monday and would take up office at the agm.

The Guardian - Sport

With such a significant portfolio, there should be an orderly transition; therefore Jim will continue in post until 11 May, when the new minister will take up office.

The Guardian

Mr Blair sat for the painter during the spring of 2011 at his home in Buckinghamshire and according to the gallery the resulting work "very immediate portrayal of the longest-serving Labour Prime Minister and, to date, the youngest Labour Prime Minister to take up office since 1812".

Independent

The 32-year-old was due to take up office on 1 September.

BBC

The successful mayor candidate will take up office on Monday and the elected PCC will begin work on 22 November.

BBC

Mr Carson represents Upper Falls and will take up office on 1 April when the new Belfast City Council comes into being.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Merce Cunningham Trust said Robert Swinston, the company's director of choreography, would teach classes starting in April at City Center, where the trust will take up offices.

The New York Times

The next governor takes up office in July 2013.

The Guardian - Opinion

He took up office in 1949 and stayed put until his death in December 2012.

The Guardian

The new President Uhuru Kenyatta, who took up office in April 2013, was known to be sympathetic to wildlife conservation.

The Guardian

Work is continuing on the programme so that the new commissioner "has a range of options upon taking up office".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about political transitions or formal appointments, use "take up office" to clearly indicate the commencement of official responsibilities and duties.

Common error

Avoid using "take up office" interchangeably with phrases like "apply for office" or "run for office", as these refer to seeking the position, not assuming it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take up office" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of official duties or responsibilities associated with a specific position or role. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take up office" signifies the start of someone's tenure in a position, mainly in formal contexts such as politics or business. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While grammatically sound and frequently used in news and formal settings, alternative phrases like "assume office" or "begin tenure" can add nuance depending on the context. This expression should not be confused with phrases that describe seeking a position, as it focuses on the moment official duties commence. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources and its formality is considered neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume office

Emphasizes the act of assuming responsibility and authority, more formal.

begin tenure

Focuses on the duration of the position, suitable for academic or official contexts.

enter upon duties

Highlights the commencement of assigned tasks, often used in formal or legal settings.

commence duties

Similar to 'enter upon duties' but with a slightly broader application.

start term

Refers specifically to the beginning of a fixed period of service, often in political or educational roles.

inaugurate term

Emphasizes a formal beginning, often associated with ceremonial events.

step into role

Implies a transition into a new position, emphasizing the individual's adaptation.

start job

A more general term, applicable to any employment position, not necessarily official.

fill position

Focuses on occupying a vacant role, rather than the commencement of duties.

be sworn in

Highlights the formal oath-taking aspect of starting an official role, often political.

FAQs

What does "take up office" mean?

The phrase "take up office" means to formally begin performing the duties and responsibilities of a job or position, especially a public or official one.

What can I say instead of "take up office"?

You can use alternatives like "assume office", "begin tenure", or "commence duties" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "taken up office"?

Yes, "taken up office" is the past participle form, often used in perfect tenses (e.g., "He has taken up office"). This indicates that someone has already begun their official duties.

What is the difference between "take up office" and "hold office"?

"Take up office" refers to the act of beginning a term, while "hold office" refers to the state of currently performing the duties of that position. You "take up office" once, but you "hold office" for a period of time.