was in a prime position to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was in a prime position to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is well-placed or well-situated to take advantage of an opportunity or to achieve a goal. Example: "The company was in a prime position to expand its market share after the recent merger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The result was that by the mid 1950s the company had captured nearly half the rapidly expanding US processed cereal market and was in a prime position to build its empire in Europe using the same methods.

The Guardian - Business

Libya was in a prime position to reap the benefits.

BBC

After Icos's experimental drugs failed in clinical trials, Eli Lilly was in a prime position to purchase the company.

Wikipedia

Filming this movie, I was in a prime position to see great teachers are performing miracles for our kids on a daily basis.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Championship clubs are in a prime position to take up the slack here.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Emanuel, as a House Democratic leader, already is in a prime position to help Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

Teachers are in a prime position to identify children who are upset, under stress or frequently missing school.

The Guardian

Zynga would be in a prime position to capitalize on this.

TechCrunch

Many commentators believe the Falcon is in a prime position to win that business.

BBC

Nurses are in a prime position to care for this population because they deliver holistic care and promote health.

Geriatric Nursing

Stein echoes Levie's thoughts, and believes the company is in a prime position to be a public company.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was in a prime position to" when you want to emphasize that past conditions created an advantage for a specific entity. Ensure the subsequent action aligns logically with the advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "was in a prime position to" when referring to a current or ongoing advantage. The phrase implies a past state that led to a potential action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was in a prime position to" functions as a transitional phrase, illustrating that a subject possessed favorable circumstances that made a subsequent action or outcome likely or possible. Ludwig examples show it linking past situations to potential future actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was in a prime position to" indicates a past advantage or favorable situation that enabled a subsequent action or outcome. It is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, media, and business contexts. Ludwig's analysis confirms its use in explaining past circumstances that provided distinct opportunities. While not exceedingly frequent, its specific meaning makes it a valuable tool for conveying causality and advantage in writing. To avoid ambiguity, always ensure that the past state and the implied action are logically connected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was ideally placed to

Emphasizes optimal location or circumstance as the reason for advantage.

was well-situated to

Highlights advantageous placement or arrangement.

was favorably positioned to

Stresses the positive or beneficial aspects of the placement.

was advantageously located to

Focuses on the locational benefit contributing to the advantage.

was perfectly poised to

Suggests a state of readiness and balance, implying imminent action.

was in an excellent spot to

A more informal way of expressing being in a prime location.

was ripe for

Suggests that the time or conditions are right for something to happen.

stood to

Implies a strong likelihood of receiving a benefit or experiencing a particular outcome.

was on the verge of

Indicates being close to a significant event or change.

was set to

Implies preparation and anticipation of a future event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was in a prime position to" for conciseness?

Consider using shorter alternatives like "stood to" or "was set to" for a more direct expression, depending on the context.

Is "was in a prime position to" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "was in a prime position to" is appropriate for formal writing. However, you can also use synonyms like "was ideally placed to" or "was favorably positioned to" to enhance the formality.

What's the difference between "was in a prime position to" and "is in a prime position to"?

"Was in a prime position to" indicates a past advantage, while "is in a prime position to" describes a current advantage. The choice depends on whether the advantage existed in the past or exists now.

Can "was in a prime position to" be used in the future tense?

No, "was in a prime position to" cannot be used in the future tense. To express a future advantage, use phrases like "will be in a prime position to".