while serving as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while serving as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action is taking place concurrently with someone holding a specific position or role. Example: "While serving as the project manager, she implemented several innovative strategies to improve team efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Only one Tory has ever admitted to being a homosexual while serving as an MP.

The Economist

while serving as co-director of the dismal "Fierce Creatures".

The New York Times

While serving as House minority leader, he was appointed vice president after Spiro Agnew's resignation.

The New York Times

Wegner created his first chair in 1931 while serving as an apprentice cabinetmaker.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Obama has visited several mosques overseas but never one in this country while serving as president.

Independent

Meanwhile, O'Brien was away from State College while serving as the offensive coordinator for the Patriots.

The New York Times - Sports

He remains chairman emeritus at Siegel & Gale while serving as president and chief executive at Siegelvision.

The New York Times

He maintained contact with the movement while serving as ambassador to Pakistan.

Independent

While serving as the Prussian and German national capital, Berlin always attracted architects and city planners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mattheson befriended George Frideric Handel while serving as a singer and conductor at the Hamburg Opera.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While serving as a British MP, he was active in relief and emergency operations for Pakistan.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "while serving as" in formal writing, ensure that the sentence structure is clear and concise to maintain professionalism. Avoid overly complex sentences that may obscure the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "while serving as" when the action described is not directly related to the position held. Ensure that the action is a relevant part of the role or has a clear connection to it to maintain accuracy and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while serving as" functions as a prepositional phrase, providing temporal context by indicating that an action or event occurred during a specific period when someone held a particular position. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

23%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while serving as" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to provide temporal context to a person's actions during their tenure in a specific role. Ludwig AI analysis shows the phrase to be a correct, common prepositional phrase most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure the action described is clearly related to the position held. Alternatives such as "during their tenure as" or "in the capacity of" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a

A shorter, more direct way to indicate someone's role.

during their tenure as

Emphasizes the period of time someone holds a position.

in one's role as

Emphasizes the responsibilities and duties associated with a position.

in the capacity of

Highlights the role or function someone fulfills.

while holding the position of

Focuses on the act of possessing a specific title or job.

whilst acting as

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

acting in the position of

Highlights the performance of duties while perhaps not formally holding the title.

as part of the duties of

Indicates that an action is a required or expected part of a job.

in the exercise of the duties of

A formal way to emphasize the performance of tasks associated with a role.

in the course of employment as

Focuses on actions taken within the scope of one's job.

FAQs

How do I use "while serving as" in a sentence?

Use "while serving as" to connect an action or event directly to a period when someone held a specific role or position. For example, "While serving as CEO, she implemented new marketing strategies".

What are some alternatives to "while serving as"?

Alternatives include "during their tenure as", "in the capacity of", or simply "as" depending on the context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning. Consider alternatives like "during their tenure as".

Is it better to use "while serving as" or "as"?

The choice between "while serving as" and "as" depends on the level of detail and emphasis you want to convey. "While serving as" is more specific and emphasizes the duration of the role, while "as" is more concise and general.

Can I use "while serving as" to describe past actions?

Yes, "while serving as" can be used to describe past actions or events that occurred during a specific period when someone held a particular position. The key is to ensure the action is clearly linked to the role.