taking office

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking office" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the act of beginning a position or role, typically in a formal or official capacity. Example: The new president will be taking office on January 20th, marking the start of a new era for the country. Other examples: - The CEO will be taking office next week and plans to make major changes to the company's structure. - After being elected as mayor, she will be taking office in a formal ceremony at city hall. - The newly appointed judge will be taking office this month and will be presiding over her first case.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Notably, within weeks of taking office Jan.

The New York Times

All presidents do this upon taking office.

The New York Times

"On taking office last year..

The Guardian

In March 1933, shortly after taking office, Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He died of cancer before taking office.

Britannica

His first big trip after taking office was to Lamu.

The Economist

Since taking office, his popularity among that group has plunged.

The New York Times

Upon taking office, Allawi began reversing the ban.

The New Yorker

Bush has not vetoed a single bill since taking office.

The New Yorker

He has raised more than $25 million since taking office.

The New York Times

Shortly after taking office, however, he faced great unrest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about political transitions, use "taking office" to clearly indicate the moment someone assumes their official role. For example, "The president was sworn in, officially "taking office" on January 20th."

Common error

Avoid using the past perfect tense (had taken office) when the simple past (took office) is sufficient and clearer. For example, instead of "By the time the investigation concluded, he had already taken office", use "By the time the investigation concluded, he had already taken office."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking office" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, often describing the commencement of official duties. Examples show it used in various contexts, such as political transitions and corporate leadership changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking office" is a versatile gerund phrase widely used to denote the commencement of an individual's official duties in a specific position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. While it is grammatically correct, it’s essential to use the correct tense for clarity. Alternatives such as "assuming duties" or "beginning term" can be used depending on the specific context to convey nuanced meanings. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning term

Emphasizes the start of a fixed period in a specific role.

assuming duties

Focuses on the responsibilities that come with the position, not just the start date.

starting incumbency

Similar to beginning term but with a stronger focus on the period of holding office.

commencing tenure

Focuses on the duration of the period one holds the position.

inaugurating position

Focuses on the formal event or ceremony that marks the start.

entering into service

Highlights the aspect of serving in an official capacity.

starting administration

Used mainly in governmental context; emphasizes administrational responsibilities.

embarking on leadership

Highlights the aspect of leadership that comes with the position.

accessing leadership

This alternative implies gaining access to a leadership role or position.

starting to govern

Highlights the act of governing once the office is assumed.

FAQs

How to use "taking office" in a sentence?

The phrase "taking office" is used to describe the moment someone begins their official duties in a position. For example, "The new CEO is "taking office" next week."

What can I say instead of "taking office"?

You can use alternatives like "assuming duties", "beginning term", or "commencing tenure depending on the context.

Which is correct, "taking office" or "take office"?

"Taking office" is a gerund phrase and is correct when used as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense. "Take office" is the base form of the verb and is used in different grammatical constructions, such as in the simple present tense with plural subjects or in the infinitive form.

What's the difference between "taking office" and "holding office"?

"Taking office" refers to the initial act of assuming a position or role, while "holding office" describes the state of currently occupying that position. One describes the start, and the other describes the duration.