untaken position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "untaken position" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing roles or opportunities that have not been filled or occupied. Example: "The company is still looking to fill the untaken position in the marketing department."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

With order of a sort restored and the Germans ambling into the penalty area for the as yet untaken free-kick, Völler appeared to explain to his strike partner Klinsmann that he had been spat at, then took up his position.

The Guardian - Sport

skeptika.com, skeptika.org, skeptika.co.uk and skeptika.org.uk are all untaken on the web.

The Economist

For others, the untaken picture is a moment that they couldn't bring themselves to steal.

The New York Times

The alleged untaken precaution was the ER personnel's failure to accompany the patient in the restroom.

Harvard University

For a long time, unable to really influence the match – his one opportunity left untaken – it seemed as if he would join them.

The Guardian - Sport

Or the object tucked into the back of the suitcase, that turned out to be an untaken University of Leeds Mathematics for Computing exam paper from 15 months ago.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Bastille was not stormed, the Winter Palace remains untaken – although he did do a good "dick gag" about Malcolm Turnbull on The Project, repeated in his live sets.

The Guardian - Opinion

The jersey, once worn by Eric Cantona, is more likely to be taken by Mata than the No 9, which is the other prominent number presently untaken.

Independent

One report in the Brazilian news media described how he received about $180,000 in payments for untaken leaves of absence during his 19 years as a public prosecutor.

The New York Times

If he draws fewer, younger may expose those untaken for both to see or leave them facedown for neither to see.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I saw "Iron Man 3" in a barnlike cinema, with almost seventeen hundred seats, few of them untaken, and, as the smoke of the explosion cleared, an awkward silence drifted over the audience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing job vacancies or roles within an organization, use "open position" or "available position" for clarity and common understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "untaken position" in casual conversation; it might sound stilted. Instead, opt for phrases like "the job's still open" or "no one's taken it yet".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "untaken position" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a role or opportunity that has not yet been filled or assumed. Ludwig identifies this usage, although it notes the phrase is not standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "untaken position" is grammatically acceptable, but not frequently used. Ludwig suggests that while it conveys the idea of a role or opportunity that is currently vacant, clearer and more common alternatives such as "open position" or "available role" may be preferred. Its usage leans toward neutral formality and its presence in news, academic and scientific sources is equally distributed. Ludwig highlights that the phrase isn't considered standard, indicating a potential for misinterpretation. Therefore, while understandable, writers should consider the audience and context when choosing whether to use "untaken position".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open position

Directly indicates a job opening or vacancy.

available position

Similar to "open position", it's a general way to refer to a job opportunity.

vacant role

Focuses specifically on employment or organizational contexts.

unfilled post

Similar to "vacant role", emphasizes a formal or official vacancy.

unfilled seat

Emphasizes a lack of occupancy in a literal or figurative sense.

unoccupied station

Highlights the physical or metaphorical emptiness of a designated place.

unassigned task

Focuses on a specific duty or responsibility that has not been delegated.

unclaimed spot

Implies that a particular place or opportunity is available and awaiting someone to take it.

available slot

Emphasizes the presence of an opening or opportunity.

unheld stance

Refers to a viewpoint or opinion that no one has adopted.

FAQs

What is another way to say "untaken position"?

Alternatives for "untaken position" include "open position", "available role", or "vacant post", depending on the context.

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

You might say, "The company is still looking to fill the untaken position in the marketing department". However, consider using more common phrases for better clarity.

Is "untaken position" grammatically correct?

Yes, "untaken position" is grammatically sound, but it's not the most common or natural way to express the idea. Phrases like "unfilled role" or "vacant position" are typically preferred.

What's the difference between "untaken position" and "available position"?

"Available position" is a more direct and widely understood term for a job opening. "Untaken position", while understandable, is less common and may sound overly formal. Use "available position" for clarity.