was appointed to the position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was appointed to the position' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to talk about someone being officially given a job. For example, "Chris was appointed to the position of CEO for the company last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There I was appointed to the position of Reich Defense adviser to the Inspector.

Yale University

Meanwhile, Kepler was appointed to the position (created for him) of district mathematician in Linz.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Wakefield, a nurse who is a leading expert in rural health care, was appointed to the position in February 2009.

The Washington Post

Ms. Fotusky was appointed to the position, and was then elected twice to two-year terms of her own.

The New York Times

When she came to power in May 1979, he was appointed to the position of Paymaster General.

Independent

He was appointed to the position, the third highest in the Department of Justice, by President John F. Kennedy.

The New York Times

Duquette was appointed to the position on an interim basis after Steve Phillips was fired on June 12.

The New York Times - Sports

He acquired a reputation as a promising young scholar and was appointed to the position of lecturer at Harvard University in 1959.

Britannica

He replaces R. Barrie Walkley, an ambassador and career Foreign Service officer who was appointed to the position in December 2011.

The New York Times

Mr. Pritchard, the former Police Commissioner of Mount Vernon, was appointed to the position in June by County Executive Andrew J. Spano, a Democrat.

The New York Times

As for the quote, I said those words in 1994, when Mr. Starr was appointed to the position of independent counsel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "was appointed to the position" to clearly and officially state someone's new role. This phrase carries a sense of formality and official recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "was appointed at the position". The correct preposition is "to", as it indicates direction or assignment to a role, rather than location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was appointed to the position" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that someone has been officially assigned a role or job. This contrasts with an active voice construction (e.g., 'The board appointed her to the position'). Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was appointed to the position" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the official assignment of someone to a role. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias. While alternatives exist, this phrase offers clarity and formality. Be mindful to use the correct preposition "to" rather than "at". Using "was appointed to the position" effectively communicates official recognition and assignment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was named to the position

This alternative is more concise, using "named" instead of "appointed".

was designated for the position

This alternative emphasizes the act of choosing someone for a specific role.

was selected for the position

This alternative focuses on the choice made among several candidates.

was assigned to the position

This alternative implies a formal assignment, often within an organization.

was installed in the position

This alternative suggests a formal ceremony or process of taking office.

took up the position

This alternative highlights the action of commencing the role.

assumed the position

This alternative indicates taking on the responsibilities of the role.

was promoted to the position

This alternative specifies that the individual received a promotion to the role.

was entrusted with the position

This alternative emphasizes the element of trust and responsibility given to the individual.

was tapped for the position

This alternative is more informal and suggests a less formal selection process.

FAQs

How can I use "was appointed to the position" in a sentence?

You can use "was appointed to the position" to describe someone being officially given a job. For example, "She "was appointed to the position" of Chief Marketing Officer last week".

What are some alternatives to saying "was appointed to the position"?

Alternatives include "was named to the position", "was selected for the position", or "was assigned to the position", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was appointed at the position" instead of "was appointed to the position"?

No, the correct preposition is "to". Saying "was appointed at the position" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "was appointed to the position" and "assumed the position"?

"Was appointed to the position" implies a formal assignment or selection, while "assumed the position" suggests taking on the responsibilities, possibly without a formal appointment.