while he was in power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while he was in power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific period during which someone held a position of authority or control. Example: "The policies implemented while he was in power had a lasting impact on the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

While he was in power, however, he was a moderate politician famous for his pragmatism.

The Guardian

Islamist militants tried to kill Musharraf at least twice while he was in power.

The Washington Post

[Former Interior Minister] Mohamed Ibrahim said there were no charges against Morsi while he was in power.

Independent

The book grows out of late-night conversations between Mr. Yeltsin and Mr. Yumashev while he was in power.

The New York Times - Books

She was rarely seen in public and never alongside the "maximum leader" while he was in power.

The Guardian

Judicial officials began questioning Gbagbo on Saturday over human rights abuses committed while he was in power.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

He doesn't care that it will hurt the Russian people in the long-run, simply that it will serve him well while he's in power.

Forbes

The comments come amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Israel, caused in part by Netanyahu's declaration before the recent Israeli election that a Palestinian state won't be established while he is in power.

HuffPost

He had said that he had been friends with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, but he also testified that in the mid-1990s, while she was in power, he was tortured for political reasons.

The New York Times

His interest began while he was in high school when the Kansas Power Company of Great Bend, Kansas, of which his father was president, had to rely on amateur radio operators for communications after an ice storm disrupted normal service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fear of John Polio might account for a reluctance to speak out while he was still in power, but he retired in 1987.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while he was in power" to clearly define the period when a person held a position of authority, providing a temporal context for events or actions.

Common error

Ensure that the subject is clearly defined within the context. If the subject is ambiguous, explicitly state who "he" refers to, preventing any confusion for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while he was in power" functions as an adverbial phrase, providing temporal context to a statement. It indicates the period during which a person held authority or control. Ludwig examples show its wide use in news and encyclopedic sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while he was in power" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that provides temporal context, indicating the period during which someone held authority. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread acceptance. It is most frequently used in news and media, encyclopedias and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "during his tenure" or "while he held office" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while he held office

A more formal way of saying someone was in a position of authority.

during his tenure

Emphasizes the term of office or position held.

during his administration

Refers specifically to the period of governance by an administration.

in his period of authority

Emphasizes the time when someone had control.

during his rule

Focuses on the period of governance, replacing 'power' with 'rule'.

while he exercised authority

Highlights the act of using power rather than just possessing it.

under his leadership

Highlights the influence and actions taken during the leadership period.

in his time as leader

Highlights the leadership aspect of the role.

when he was the head

Focuses on the position of being in charge.

during his reign

Implies a more monarchical or dictatorial rule.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "while he was in power" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "during his tenure", "while he held office", or "during his administration", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "while he was in power" in academic writing?

Yes, "while he was in power" is appropriate for academic writing. It clearly indicates a specific time frame when discussing actions or events related to someone's authority. However, ensure the context is clear and the subject is well-defined.

What's the difference between "while he was in power" and "under his leadership"?

"While he was in power" is a temporal phrase, indicating the period of authority. "Under his leadership" emphasizes the influence and actions taken during that period. The former is time-focused, while the latter is action-focused.

Are there situations where using "while he was in power" might be inappropriate?

Using "while he was in power" might be inappropriate if the context requires a more nuanced understanding of the person's influence or actions beyond their official capacity. In such cases, phrases like "during his influence" or "throughout his reign" (if applicable) might be more suitable.