was a waiter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was a waiter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's past occupation or role in a specific context, often when discussing work history or experiences. Example: "During my college years, I was a waiter at a local restaurant to help pay for my tuition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I was a waiter.

The New York Times

Her partner, Alan, was a waiter.

The New York Times

"But," he added, "I was a waiter.

The New York Times - Science

I scrubbed floors, I cleaned toilets, I was a waiter.

Independent

"His father was a waiter," Mr. Melnick said.

The New York Times

I was a waiter at the Kennedy wedding.

The Guardian - Film

I — HOW I STARTED When the prohibition law passed I was a waiter at Sherry's.

The New Yorker

"I was a waiter, he was a bartender," Mr. Barclay said.

The New York Times

It was a waiter, Cook noted, who'd been the basis for his character EL Wisty.

The Guardian

Mr. Burton was a waiter in Crestline, where the pair bought their house in 2000.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Lawson, 61, was a waiter and cook for Forte Food Service, and had been transferred to the World Trade Center just three months before.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's past jobs, using "was a waiter" is a clear and concise way to state their previous occupation. Provide context by adding details about where or when they worked as a waiter to make it more engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "is a waiter" when referring to a past job. "Is a waiter" indicates a current occupation, whereas "was a waiter" correctly indicates a past occupation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a waiter" functions as a statement identifying someone's past occupation. It is a simple and direct way to communicate that a person held the role of a waiter at some point in their life. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and frequently found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was a waiter" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe someone's past occupation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves the primary function of indicating a previous role, often providing context to a person's background or career trajectory. Its usage spans across various registers, though predominantly found in news and media sources. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "worked as a server" or "used to be a waiter". When using this phrase, ensure correct tense usage and provide relevant details for clarity. Ludwig's examples provide a comprehensive overview of how this phrase is effectively used in real-world contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked as a server

Replaces "waiter" with the synonym "server" and uses "worked as" to indicate employment.

waited tables

A shorter, more direct way of saying someone worked as a waiter.

used to be a waiter

Emphasizes that the person's previous profession was being a waiter.

had a job as a waiter

Uses a simpler structure to describe the job.

served tables

Focuses on the action of serving customers at tables instead of the job title.

held a position as a waiter

More formal way of describing someone's job.

was employed as a waiter

Highlights the employment aspect of being a waiter.

spent time as a waiter

Highlights the duration of time spent in the role.

once served as a waiter

More formal way to indicate someone was a waiter in the past.

used to work in food service

Broader term that encompasses being a waiter.

FAQs

What's a synonym for "was a waiter"?

You can use synonyms like "worked as a server", "used to be a waiter", or "waited tables" depending on the specific context.

How can I describe the role of a waiter in the past?

Use the phrase "was a waiter" to indicate that someone previously held the position of a waiter. For example, "Before becoming a chef, he "was a waiter" at a local diner."

Is it correct to say "he is a waiter" when referring to a past job?

No, it is not correct. "He is a waiter" indicates a present occupation. To refer to a past job, use "he "was a waiter"".

What's the difference between "was a waiter" and "worked as a waiter"?

Both phrases are similar, but "worked as a waiter" may imply a more formal or extended period of employment compared to ""was a waiter"", which is a more general statement about a past occupation.