worked as a trainee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worked as a trainee" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's job experience. For example: "John worked as a trainee for three months before being promoted to a full-time position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

McGregor once worked as a trainee plumber.

The Guardian - Sport

He'd just returned from Trephina Gorge, where he worked as a trainee ranger and was singing and clapping to his favourite tunes before a beery night out.

The Guardian

Mr. Hall first worked as a trainee at the BBC after graduating from Oxford, then rose through the ranks to his current post as director of news and current affairs in 1990.

The New York Times

When I was in London 20 years ago the white boys couldn't dance, now they dance quite well.' Returning to Lagos, Fela worked as a trainee radio producer with Nigerian Broadcasting, and re-formed Koola Lobitos.

The Guardian - Music

Got a degree in business and economics then worked as a trainee at a bank in London.

Forbes

He began his BBC career in 1973 and worked as a trainee in the Belfast newsroom, going on to produce Today, The World at One, The World Tonight and PM on Radio Four.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He then worked as a reporter trainee at The Times but gave up a career in journalism to work for an advertising agency as a copywriter.

The New York Times - Arts

She then worked as a reporter trainee at The Times before joining The Globe, where her first beat was federal court in Boston.

The New York Times

Back in his home town of Manchester, he spent a year working as a trainee actuary.

The Guardian

In 1927, she went to work as a trainee at Kurt Wolff Verlag in Munich.

The New Yorker

I only got interested when my then girlfriend, a film editor, suggested I should work as a trainee editor during the long university holidays.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past role, use "worked as a trainee" to clearly indicate that the position was part of a training program or learning experience. This helps frame the experience appropriately for potential employers or readers.

Common error

Avoid using "worked as a trainee" when the role involved significant independent responsibility or expertise. The term implies a learning phase, not a fully proficient position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worked as a trainee" functions as a verb phrase describing someone's past professional experience. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a common and acceptable way to express this.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worked as a trainee" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a past position where the primary focus was on learning and development. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, although predominantly found in news, science, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure the role genuinely emphasized training rather than independent expertise. Consider related alternatives like "served as an apprentice" or "undertook an internship" to add nuance to your description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held a traineeship

Highlights the formal position of a trainee.

served as an apprentice

Focuses on a formal apprenticeship rather than general training.

functioned as an intern

Similar to internship, but focuses on the role.

undertook an internship

Emphasizes a short-term professional learning experience.

was in training

General term indicating someone is receiving instruction.

gained experience as a novice

Highlights the lack of prior experience.

acted as a probationer

Suggests a trial period to assess suitability.

performed duties as a cadet

Implies training in a specific field like military or police.

labored as an extern

Focuses on hands-on training outside of a formal academic setting.

assisted as a junior staff

Highlights the support role during the early stage of a career.

FAQs

How can I use "worked as a trainee" in a sentence?

You can use "worked as a trainee" to describe a temporary position focused on learning and skill development, for example: "She "worked as a trainee" at the hospital before becoming a registered nurse."

What are some alternatives to saying "worked as a trainee"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "served as an apprentice", "held a traineeship", or "undertook an internship".

Is it appropriate to say "worked as a trainee" if I had prior experience?

While possible, it's more common to use "worked as a trainee" when entering a new field or role where foundational skills are being developed, irrespective of experience in other areas.

What's the difference between "worked as a trainee" and "worked as an assistant"?

"Worked as an assistant" implies a supportive role with specific tasks, while ""worked as a trainee"" indicates a position primarily focused on learning and development within a particular field.