while serving as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while serving as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a role or position someone held during a specific time or activity. Example: "While serving as a project manager, I learned valuable leadership skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The shadow defence secretary, Clive Lewis, has revealed he nearly shot a civilian while serving as a soldier in Afghanistan.

The Guardian

We do so all the while serving as a proud symbol of Africa's contemporary technological stewardship and future potential.

Forbes

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

Mr. Hagel has visited Afghanistan four times before, while serving as a Republican senator from Nebraska.

The New York Times

He attended Wharton Business School while serving as a Lt. in the U.S. Navy from 19421946.

The New York Times

She continued to live in Washington while serving as a Harvard dean, commuting daily.

The New York Times - Arts

But while serving as a Republican senator from Missouri, Mr. Ashcroft opposed the suit.

The New York Times

He ran other people's campaigns while serving as a county commissioner.

The New Yorker

The prime minister, Justin Trudeau, smoked up while serving as a member of parliament.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In 2004,while serving as a venture capitalist herself, Hoke had the opportunity to tour several Texas state prisons.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while serving as a" to clearly indicate that someone performed another activity or held another position simultaneously with their primary role. For example, "While serving as a senator, she also taught law at Georgetown University."

Common error

Avoid using "while serving as a" when describing actions that occurred after the period of service. It implies simultaneity. For example, don't say "While serving as a CEO, he founded a charity after retiring." Instead, state that he founded the charity "after serving as CEO."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while serving as a" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing an adverbial clause. It modifies a verb by indicating the time or circumstances under which an action occurred. This phrase is used to specify the context in which someone performed another action or held another role. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

23%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while serving as a" is a versatile phrase used to provide context by indicating a concurrent role or activity. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically correct and frequently employed phrase across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Academia. It adds depth to sentences by clarifying the circumstances surrounding an action, connecting roles and responsibilities, as demonstrated through many examples. When using this phrase, ensure that the actions are indeed simultaneous and not sequential to avoid chronological inaccuracies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a

A more concise and general way to indicate a role or position.

in the role of

Similar to "as a", but slightly more formal.

during tenure as

Focuses on the period of holding a specific position.

acting as

Highlights the performance of duties associated with a role.

in the capacity of

Emphasizes the formal role or function being performed.

when working as

Emphasizes the act of working in a particular role.

while employed as

Highlights the employment aspect of the role.

performing duties as

Focuses on the specific tasks carried out in the role.

undertaking the role of

Highlights active participation in the role.

in service as

Emphasizes dedication and commitment towards the role.

FAQs

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

Use "while serving as a" to connect a person's role with an action or another role they held simultaneously. For example, "The author wrote his first novel "while serving as a teacher"."

What are some alternatives to "while serving as a"?

You can use alternatives like "during tenure as", "in the capacity of", or simply "as a" depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it correct to say "while served as a"?

No, "while served as a" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "while serving as a", using the present participle "serving" to indicate an ongoing action.

What's the difference between "while serving as a" and "after serving as a"?

"While serving as a" indicates that two actions or roles occurred at the same time. "After serving as a" indicates that one action or role followed the other chronologically.