the position itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the position itself' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a particular job or role. For example, "The position itself is very rewarding, but the hours can be long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A leader's power comes not only from their knowledge and expertise, but also from the position itself.

Harvard Business Review

Should the position itself be abolished?Pascal Clément, the justice minister, has promised reforms after the parliamentary inquiry's final report is submitted, probably in May or June.

The Economist

The key is to focus on topics that speak to the position itself and are therefore harder to prepare in advance.

Harvard Business Review

Democrats are most infuriated by Republican opposition to any nominee to lead the new consumer bureau — and indeed, to the existence of the position itself.

The New York Times

Broadly, these risk factors include shocks to financial market variables that affect asset prices, such as a credit spread or the yield on a bond, and, in some cases, the value of the position itself (e.g., the market value of private equity positions).

Cornell University

Plus, of course, there are some very good goalkeepers around the place these days, the position itself energised by the trend for keepers who can drive the game from the back, from Hugo Lloris's sweeper-keeper schtick to the comedic regista-manqué stylings of Claudio Bravo.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

With respect to the Bayesian position itself, the question arises: How deep is the connection between rational preference and rational belief?

SEP

How do you feel should the party position itself in the wake of the Leave vote in the EU referendum?

The Guardian

But in the original position itself the parties are not altruistically motivated to benefit each other, in their capacity as contracting parties.

SEP

The Rackspace Cloud is one of several side businesses Moorman nurtured to help the company position itself for the future.

Forbes

So Rawls's conceptions of citizens and of society are built into the design of the original position itself.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the position itself" to emphasize inherent aspects, duties, or characteristics of a role, job, or situation, distinct from external factors like the person holding the position or surrounding circumstances.

Common error

Avoid attributing qualities to "the position itself" that are actually due to the individual in that role or external conditions. Focus on what is inherent and unchanging about the position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the position itself" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It emphasizes the inherent qualities, duties, or characteristics of a role or job, as confirmed by Ludwig. For example, "The programming of "the position itself" is not such a distant concept."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the position itself" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that serves to emphasize the inherent characteristics and requirements of a job, role, or situation, distinct from external influences or individual traits. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, but most commonly appears in news, academic, and scientific domains. To avoid confusion, ensure that any attributed qualities truly belong to the position and aren't merely reflections of the person currently holding it. Consider alternatives such as "the role itself" or "the job itself" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the role itself

Replaces "position" with "role", emphasizing the function or part someone plays.

the situation itself

Shifts the focus from a specific position to the broader circumstances.

the job itself

Substitutes "position" with "job", highlighting the work-related aspect.

the location itself

Replaces "position" with "location", emphasizing a specific place.

the post itself

Uses "post" instead of "position", which is often used in formal or official contexts.

the task itself

Focuses on the inherent nature of the duty that needs to be done.

the item itself

Shifts the focus from a position to a specific object or thing.

its very nature

Expresses the core essence of something rather than its designated spot.

inherent to the position

Highlights what is naturally or permanently part of the position.

intrinsic to the role

Similar to "inherent to the position", emphasizing the essential qualities of the role.

FAQs

How can I use "the position itself" in a sentence?

You can use "the position itself" to highlight the inherent qualities or requirements of a job or role, as opposed to the person holding it. For example, "The challenges are inherent to "the position itself", regardless of who fills it."

What is an alternative to "the position itself"?

Alternatives include "the role itself", "the job itself", or "the nature of the position", depending on the specific context you wish to emphasize.

Is it better to say "the position itself" or "the role itself"?

Both "the position itself" and "the role itself" are correct and usable. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the structural placement (position) or the functional aspect (role).

What does it mean to focus on "the position itself"?

Focusing on "the position itself" means considering the intrinsic requirements, responsibilities, and characteristics associated with a particular job or role, separate from any individual who might hold that position. It highlights what remains constant regardless of the person involved.