was employed as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was employed as a" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone's job title or role in a specific position. Example: "She was employed as a project manager at the firm." Alternative expressions include "worked as a" and "held the position of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Axin2NLSlacZ strain was employed as a reporter of in vivo β-catenin/TCF signaling.

Plosone

Dooley said Stanford was employed as a casual in October.

The Guardian

While in Monticello, Raye was employed as a legal secretary to Mal Cohen, Esq.

The New York Times

For a time, Abrams's mother was a librarian, while her father was employed as a dockworker.

The New Yorker

From 1912 till 1932 he was employed as a Marine surveyor for a French firm.

The New Yorker

From the mid-70s, he became Helen's carer while Eleanor was employed as a social worker.

The Guardian - Books

During World War II, she was employed as a censor of international mail.

The New York Times

For five years he was employed as a horse trainer in Russia.

The New Yorker

The barbarians were at the gate, which was lamentable because I was employed as a gatekeeper.

The Guardian

The collaboration was employed as a strategic maneuver to maintain power over the people.

The New York Times

In the 1960s collage was employed as a major form of Pop art.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was employed as a", ensure the context clearly indicates the time frame and the nature of the employment. Be specific about the role and the organization if possible.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound less direct. Consider using the active voice where appropriate: "She worked as a project manager" is more concise than "She was employed as a project manager."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was employed as a" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state of employment or utilization. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was employed as a" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase. As Ludwig confirms, it serves to describe a past role or function, commonly appearing in news, scientific publications, encyclopedias and wiki articles. While versatile, opting for the active voice and more direct alternatives like "worked as a" can improve conciseness in writing. Consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing between "was employed as a" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worked as a

This is a simpler and more direct way of saying someone held a particular job.

served as a

Implies a formal role or duty performed.

was utilized as a

More formal and passive, often used for objects or processes.

functioned as a

Emphasizes the role or purpose something fulfilled.

was used as a

A general way to indicate the purpose for which something was used.

held a position as a

More formal and emphasizes the specific job title.

acted as a

Indicates a temporary or less formal role.

did work as a

Highlights the activity of working in a specific field.

operated as a

Focuses on the active process of performing a function.

officiated as a

Implies a formal, often ceremonial role.

FAQs

How can I use "was employed as a" in a sentence?

The phrase "was employed as a" is used to indicate someone's job or role in the past. For example: "He was employed as a software engineer at Google."

What are some alternatives to "was employed as a"?

Some alternatives include "worked as a", "served as a", or "functioned as a" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was employed as a" or "worked as a"?

Both phrases are correct, but "worked as a" is often more direct and less formal. "Was employed as a" can be useful when you want to emphasize the formal nature of the employment.

What is the difference between "was employed as a" and "was utilized as a"?

"Was employed as a" typically refers to people and their jobs, while "was utilized as a" is generally used for objects or methods. For example, "He was employed as a teacher," but "The method was utilized as a tool."