while I held the role

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while I held the role" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific period during which you occupied a particular position or job. Example: "While I held the role of project manager, I implemented several new strategies that improved team efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mom bore the trunk end while I held the top.

The New York Times

I've held the role of principle beat officer for the last five years.

The Guardian

The Liberal-turned-independent MP Peter Slipper is the only speaker to have held the role while not from the ruling party.

The Guardian

With her most recent promotion, Sud replaces interim chief executive Joey Levin, who held the role while also serving as CEO of parent company IAC.

TechCrunch

Clark is the third business secretary in just over a year, following in the footsteps of Javid and Cable, who held the role while the coalition was in government between 2010 and 2015.

The Guardian

Most recently, Warkentin was Content Director at style trend analysis firm WGSN, while prior to this she has also held the role of Internet director at Arcadia Group (Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Topshop and Wallis).

TechCrunch

He had held the role since 2005.

The Times

I held the ropes while they rappelled down cliffs.

The New York Times - Health

I held the splintered wooden door in place while the officer nailed the board over it.

The New York Times

While on staff at Emory University Hospital, she has held the roles of Director of Vascular Anesthesia, Medical Director of the PACU and most recently, has been appointed the Chief of Service for the General, Vascular, Neuroanesthesia and Kidney/Liver Transplant Service.

Springer

I said to her, 'This is about the kids.'" The BBC Trust also concluded that there was no conflict of interest in Yentob holding the role of BBC creative director while also the chairman of Kids Company.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing accomplishments or changes, follow "while I held the role" with specific details, using strong action verbs to showcase your impact.

Common error

Avoid using vague statements after "while I held the role". Instead of saying, "While I held the role, I improved efficiency", specify how you improved efficiency, such as, "While I held the role, I implemented a new CRM system that reduced processing time by 15%."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while I held the role" functions as a temporal conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies the time during which the speaker occupied a particular position. It sets the context for actions, responsibilities, or events that occurred during that period. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while I held the role" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for providing temporal context and clarifying the period in which certain actions or responsibilities occurred. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it can be used across various registers, but that more descriptive vocabulary provides clearer meaning and value for the reader. While less common than other similar phrases, it is understood and has a range of suitable alternative phrasing options, such as "during my time in the role".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during my time in the role

Replaces "while I held the role" with a more concise and direct expression focusing on the period of responsibility.

as the role holder

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of responsibilities tied to the role during the specified time.

in my capacity as

Highlights the official function or authority associated with the role during that period.

when I was responsible for

Focuses on the specific responsibilities held during the indicated period.

during my tenure in the position

Uses more formal language to refer to the period of holding the role.

whilst in the position

A slightly more formal variant using "whilst" instead of "while".

as I performed the duties of

Emphasizes the performance of specific duties related to the role.

in the time I was assigned to the role

Highlights the period of assignment and associated responsibilities.

during my oversight of

Focuses on supervisory duties during the period.

when I took charge of

This expresses the act of taking control or responsibility during that time.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "while I held the role"?

You can use alternatives like "during my time in the role", "in my capacity as", or "during my tenure in the position" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "while I held the role" in a formal context?

Yes, "while I held the role" is suitable for formal contexts, such as reports or professional communications. However, alternatives like "during my tenure in the position" may sound more sophisticated.

Can I use "while I held the role" to describe past responsibilities?

Yes, "while I held the role" is commonly used to describe responsibilities, actions, or events that occurred during a period when you were in a specific position. It effectively sets a time frame for the information you are presenting.

What is the difference between "while I held the role" and "when I held the role"?

Both phrases are similar, but "while I held the role" often implies that something else was happening concurrently or as a result of you holding that role, whereas "when I held the role" simply indicates a timeframe.