won a position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won a position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has successfully secured a job, role, or title, often through a competitive process. Example: "After a rigorous interview process, she won a position as the lead designer at the firm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Rothschild has won a position as an adviser to Deripaska and one of his select inner circle.

Independent

At the beginning of January 1944 the U.S. 5th Army won a position facing Cassino across the Garigliano River.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Illinois, Juliana Stratton won a position as lieutenant governor, the first black woman to hold that position.

The Guardian

Fang attended Peking University in Beijing (1952 56) and won a position at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Modern Physicss.

Britannica

After a private school education funded by a bequest from her grandmother, Churcher won a position to study art in England.

The Guardian

The excellent principal clarinetist, Burt Hara, has won a position as associate principal clarinetist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and will be granted a year's leave of absence from Minnesota.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But I still had to go in and win a position".

The New York Times

"You win a position so you have an opportunity to catch the deep ball.

The New York Times - Sports

There is also a raffle for collectors to win a position in the first fifty places in the queue.

Independent

He had been considered a serious contender to win a position on the top-level Standing Committee at this week's party congress.

The New York Times

"Albert obviously has come in late, and he's going to have to compete to win a position," Coach Mike Shanahan said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "won a position", ensure the context clearly indicates a competitive process or significant effort was involved in obtaining the role. This adds weight to the accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "won a position" when describing simply being assigned a task or role without any competition. Use more neutral language like "received an assignment" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won a position" typically functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating the successful attainment of a job, role, or placement. It describes the action of achieving something through effort or competition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "won a position" describes successfully attaining a role, typically through a competitive process. Ludwig AI indicates this is standard English. The phrase finds common usage in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Academia. While grammatically correct and generally neutral in tone, it’s important to use it appropriately in contexts where actual competition or significant effort were involved. Related phrases include "secured a role" and "obtained a post". Be mindful not to overuse the phrase in non-competitive situations; instead, consider using more neutral options. Key sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secured a role

Focuses on the act of making the role secure, implying a proactive effort.

obtained a post

More formal and emphasizes the official nature of the position.

landed a job

More informal and emphasizes the successful outcome of a job search.

gained a place

Implies earning something in a competitive environment.

attained a rank

Suggests a progression through an established hierarchy.

achieved a status

Highlights the accomplishment of reaching a desired level.

earned an appointment

Emphasizes the formality and often official nature of the selection.

procured an assignment

Focuses on acquiring a specific task or duty.

got the nod

Informal expression meaning received the approval or selection.

received the appointment

Passive voice, focuses on the act of being awarded the appointment.

FAQs

How can I use "won a position" in a sentence?

Use "won a position" to indicate someone successfully gained a job or role, often through competition. For example: "After a tough audition, she "won a position" in the orchestra."

What are some alternatives to "won a position"?

Alternatives include "secured a role", "obtained a post", or "landed a job", depending on the context and formality you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "won a position" when someone gets a job?

No, "won a position" is most appropriate when there was a competitive process involved. If the role was simply offered without competition, it's better to use phrases like "received an offer" or "was appointed".

What is the difference between "won a position" and "gained a position"?

"Won a position" suggests a more direct competition or challenge that was overcome, whereas "gained a position" can imply a more gradual accumulation of experience or qualifications that led to the opportunity.