while on assignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while on assignment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is engaged in a specific task or job during a particular period. Example: "She was able to gather valuable insights while on assignment in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Polk and Mr. Sullivan met in 1973 while on assignment in Tel Aviv, covering the Yom Kippur war.

The New York Times

Journalist Russell Shaw died last Friday in a hotel room in San Jose while on assignment.

TechCrunch

In one global corporation an executive had committed suicide while on assignment overseas.

Independent

Petrosino was killed while on assignment to Palermo, Sicily.

The New York Times

While on assignment on a tropical island, he disappears.

Princeton University

This week, the journalist Matthew Power died, apparently of heatstroke, while on assignment in Uganda.

The New Yorker

The men died in an insurgent ambush on Sunday, while on assignment in southern Afghanistan.

The Guardian

Mr. Weiner died in 1959 in a plane crash in Kentucky while on assignment.

The New York Times

Although well known for extravagant spending while on assignment, those expenses are paid by her employers.

The New York Times

The couple met in November 2004 while on assignment in Iraq.

The New York Times

Journalist James Foley was kidnapped in 2012 while on assignment in Syria.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while on assignment", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of assignment being referred to. For example, specify "journalistic assignment" or "overseas assignment" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "while on assignment" when referring to everyday tasks or routine duties. This phrase is best suited for specific, project-based tasks or duties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while on assignment" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the time during which an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while on assignment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to specify the timing of an action or event in relation to a particular task or project. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as well as academia, it maintains a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, ensure the type of assignment is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "during the assignment" or "on assignment" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the assignment

Replaces "while on" with "during the", creating a slightly more formal tone.

whilst on assignment

Substitutes "while" with "whilst", which is a more formal British English variant.

on assignment

A shorter version that omits "while" implying the same meaning but with less emphasis on the temporal aspect.

during duty

Focuses on the period of being on duty, which may be more relevant in certain professional settings.

on duty

A shorter version of "during duty", implying the same meaning but with less emphasis on the temporal aspect.

when assigned

Shifts the emphasis to the act of being assigned rather than the duration of the assignment.

while working

Focuses on the general activity of working during the specified time.

during deployment

Specifically applies to situations involving deployment, such as military or field operations.

in the field

Implies working outside of an office setting, often in research or journalism.

on company business

Highlights the fact that the individual is performing tasks related to their company or organization.

FAQs

How can I use "while on assignment" in a sentence?

You can use "while on assignment" to describe actions or events that occur during a specific job or task. For example, "She discovered a hidden village while on assignment for National Geographic."

What does "while on assignment" mean?

"While on assignment" means during a period when someone is performing a specific task or duty, often for their job. It implies a temporary or project-based work arrangement.

What are some similar phrases to "while on assignment"?

Alternatives include "during the assignment", "on assignment", or "during deployment", depending on the specific context. See also: "during duty".

Is it appropriate to use "while on assignment" in formal writing?

Yes, "while on assignment" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in reports, articles, and professional correspondence where you need to specify the timeframe of a task or duty.