- Do you ever wonder if you should “take a position” or “make a position” on an issue?
- Are you unsure how to naturally talk about your job or career using the word “position”?
- Do you struggle to describe someone’s viewpoint or a strategic advantage without sounding unnatural?
Mastering English collocations is your secret weapon for sounding like a native speaker. Instead of translating word-for-word, learning which words naturally go together will boost your fluency, improve your comprehension, and significantly reduce that frustrating “language anxiety.” Today, we’re diving deep into the versatile world of collocations with the word “POSITION.”
Common Collocations with POSITION as a Noun
As a noun, “position” can refer to a physical place, a job, a viewpoint, or a strategic advantage. Let’s explore how it partners with other words.
Expressing Your Stance or Viewpoint
When you want to share what you think or believe about a topic, “position” is your go-to word.
- take a position (on something): To state your opinion or belief about an issue.
The CEO refused to take a position on the controversial merger until all facts were presented.
- state one’s position: To clearly articulate your opinion or stance.
During the debate, each candidate was asked to state their position on climate change.
- adopt a position: To accept or start to hold a particular belief or viewpoint.
After much deliberation, the committee decided to adopt a position that prioritized environmental protection.
- firm position: A strong, unyielding viewpoint or stance.
The company took a firm position against any further price negotiations.
Talking About Jobs and Roles
“Position” is frequently used in professional contexts to refer to a job or role within an organization.
- hold a position: To be employed in a specific role.
She has held a senior position at the bank for over ten years.
- apply for a position: To formally request to be considered for a job opening.
Many graduates apply for entry-level positions immediately after university.
- offer a position: To formally invite someone to take a job.
The company was pleased to offer him a position as Head of Marketing.
- secure a position: To successfully obtain a job or role.
After several interviews, he finally secured a position in his dream company.
- key position: A very important or essential job within an organization.
Her expertise in data analysis makes her a key position on our team.
Describing Location, Advantage, or Status
“Position” can also refer to a physical spot, a state of advantage, or one’s overall status.
- in a strong/weak position: To be in an advantageous or disadvantageous state, often in negotiation or competition.
With the new patent, our company is now in a strong position in the market.
- gain a position: To achieve an advantageous status or location.
The climber worked tirelessly to gain a secure position on the steep rock face.
- lose one’s position: To lose a job, status, or advantageous spot.
Due to restructuring, several employees regretfully lost their positions.
- be in a good/bad position: To be in a favorable or unfavorable circumstance.
If we launch now, we’ll be in a good position to capture market share.
- strategic position: A location or status that offers a particular advantage.
The company acquired land in a strategic position near the port.
Essential Collocations using POSITION as a Verb
When “position” acts as a verb, it means to place or arrange something in a particular way, often with strategic intent.
Placing or Arranging Physically
This usage describes the act of physically putting something or someone in a specific place or posture.
- position something carefully/strategically: To place an object with precision and thought.
The photographer had to position the lights carefully for the perfect shot.
- position oneself: To place yourself in a certain spot or posture.
The athlete positioned himself at the starting line, ready to sprint.
- position a camera/microphone: To set up equipment in the optimal spot.
The sound engineer positioned the microphone perfectly to capture the singer’s voice.
Strategic Placement (Marketing/Business)
In business, “position” often implies a deliberate strategy to place a product, service, or brand in a specific way in the market or in the minds of consumers.
- position a product/brand (as something): To market or present something in a particular way to influence public perception.
The new smartphone was positioned as a luxury item, targeting high-end consumers.
- position a company (in the market): To define a company’s identity and competitive standing.
Our goal is to position our company as the leading innovator in sustainable energy.
- position an argument: To present a viewpoint or argument in a way that is most persuasive.
She skillfully positioned her argument to highlight the long-term benefits of the proposal.
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| take a position | Noun (verb + noun) | State your opinion/stance |
| hold a position | Noun (verb + noun) | Be employed in a role |
| apply for a position | Noun (verb + noun) | Seek a job opening |
| offer a position | Noun (verb + noun) | Propose a job role |
| in a strong position | Noun (prepositional phrase) | In an advantageous state |
| firm position | Noun (adjective + noun) | Unwavering viewpoint |
| senior position | Noun (adjective + noun) | High-level job role |
| position oneself | Verb (verb + pronoun) | Place yourself |
| position a product | Verb (verb + noun) | Market/brand something specifically |
| strategic position | Noun (adjective + noun) | Advantageous location/status |
| state one’s position | Noun (verb + noun) | Clearly express one’s view |
| secure a position | Noun (verb + noun) | Obtain a job |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid direct translations from your native language. English has specific partners for “position” that sound natural to native speakers.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| make a position (on an issue) | take a position (on an issue) / state your position |
| get a position (for a job) | secure a position / land a position / be offered a position |
| I have a good position (meaning a good job) | I hold a good position / I have a good job/role |
| put the camera in position | position the camera / put the camera into position |
| The company is in a strong situation | The company is in a strong position |
Subject: Marketing Strategy Review
Team,
Following our discussion, I’ve asked Sarah to position herself at the forefront of the new campaign. She currently holds a key position in our digital outreach, which puts her in a strong position to lead this initiative. We need to clearly state our position regarding the recent market shift and effectively position our new product as the premium choice for young professionals. We definitely don’t want to lose our position as market leaders. Our ultimate goal is to secure a leading position in the APAC region by Q4. I’m keen to hear if anyone wants to take a different position on these objectives. Let’s aim to position ourselves strategically for long-term growth.
Best,
Mark
Frequently Asked Questions about Position Collocations
What’s the difference between “take a position” and “adopt a position”?
“Take a position” generally means to express or declare your existing stance or viewpoint on a matter. For example, “The CEO will take a position on the merger next week.” “Adopt a position” suggests a process of choosing or formally accepting a particular stance, often after consideration or deliberation. For example, “After reviewing all the data, the board decided to adopt a position that favored expansion.”
Which prepositions commonly follow “position” when talking about location or state?
The most common prepositions are “in” and “at.”
- “in a position“: used for a state or situation (e.g., “in a strong position,” “in a good position to do something”).
- “at a position“: used for a specific physical location or point (e.g., “at the starting position,” “the car stopped at that position”).
- “on position“: Less common with “position” itself for location, but you might see “on the position of” when discussing a topic.
Can “position” be used informally for a job, or is it always formal?
While “position” can sound more formal than “job” or “role,” it’s very commonly used in everyday professional contexts (e.g., “I’m applying for a new position,” “She got a great position”). In highly informal situations, “job” might be preferred, but “position” is perfectly acceptable and natural in most work-related conversations.
How do I use “position” to express an advantage or disadvantage?
You typically use it with adjectives like “strong,” “weak,” “advantageous,” or “disadvantageous” within a prepositional phrase:
- “They are in a strong position to negotiate.” (advantage)
- “Our competitors are in a weak position after their recent losses.” (disadvantage)
- You can also say “put someone in a good/bad position” meaning to create a favorable or unfavorable situation for them.
Is there a difference in “position” usage between US and UK English?
For most common collocations and meanings discussed here, the usage of “position” is very similar and widely understood in both US and UK English. Both dialects use it for jobs, opinions, and physical placement. Any subtle differences would be minimal and not typically lead to misunderstanding.
I'm curious about the difference between 'position' and 'standing' in terms of viewpoint. For example, 'What's your standing on this issue?' Is that a common usage?
That's an interesting point, Ben! 'Standing' can indeed refer to one's position or status, often in a social, legal, or professional context (e.g., 'He has good standing in the community'). When used as 'What's your standing on this issue?', it's less common than 'What's your position?' or 'What's your view?', but it is still understandable. It often implies a more established or official opinion, reflecting one's recognized status or authority on a matter, whereas 'position' is more generally applicable to any opinion.
This site is a lifesaver! I'm preparing for IELTS, and these collocation tips are invaluable for improving my writing and speaking scores. Thank you, Translateen!
That's wonderful to hear, Samira! We're so glad Translateen.com is helping you with your IELTS preparation. Mastering collocations significantly boosts both fluency and lexical resource scores. Keep practicing, and we wish you the very best of luck on your exam!
Thank you for explaining the nuance! I thought 'make a position' was fine for expressing an opinion, but now I understand 'take a position' is correct. It's these small details that make a huge difference!
Exactly, Naoise! Those 'small details' are the bedrock of natural English. It's truly commendable that you're focusing on these nuances. Keep reinforcing 'take a position' in your mind and practice using it, and it will soon become second nature!
Are there any collocations for 'position' when talking about sports, like a player's position on the field? Does 'hold a position' apply there too?
Great question, Davide! Yes, 'position' is very common in sports. For example, you might 'play a position' (like 'he plays the midfield position'). 'Hold a position' can also apply, meaning to maintain a specific spot or role, such as 'The defender held his position firmly against the attacker.' You could also 'occupy a position' in a more technical sense in sports commentary.
This is a great starting point! I often hear 'put oneself in someone's position.' Is that related to the 'viewpoint' usage, implying empathy?
Yes, Lena, you've hit on a very insightful connection! 'Put oneself in someone's position' is indeed an idiom directly related to the 'viewpoint' aspect of 'position.' It means to imagine experiencing someone else's circumstances or feelings in order to understand them better – a powerful expression of empathy. Excellent observation!
I find that 'taking a position' is often used in political discussions. Is it mainly for formal debates or can it be used casually too? Like, with friends?
That's a keen observation, Marcus! While 'taking a position' is very common in formal settings like politics or business, it can absolutely be used in more casual discussions among friends, especially if the topic is serious or involves a strong opinion. For example, 'I took a strong position against online privacy invasions during our dinner discussion last night.' It conveys a clear, decided opinion regardless of the setting.
The article says 'reduce that frustrating language anxiety.' This is so true! Learning collocations really helps me feel more confident. Any tips for remembering them better, especially when there are so many?
We totally understand, Isabella! Language anxiety is real, and collocations are a powerful antidote. For remembering them, try creating flashcards with the full collocation (e.g., 'take a position,' not just 'position'). Also, actively listen for them in podcasts or TV shows, and try to use them in your own sentences when writing or speaking. Consistent exposure and deliberate practice are key!
Could we have a quiz soon on collocations with 'position'? That would be a great way to test our understanding and reinforce what we've learned!
That's a brilliant idea, Oliver! We love interactive learning. Quizzes are an excellent way to consolidate knowledge. We'll certainly take your suggestion on board for future content planning. Stay tuned!
In my language, we would say 'occupy a position' for a job. Is 'hold a position' a more common English equivalent, or is 'occupy' also natural in this context?
Priya, that's a perfect comparison! While 'occupy a position' is grammatically correct and understandable, 'hold a position' or 'have a position' are much more natural and frequently used collocations in English when referring to a job. For instance, 'She holds a senior management position at the company.' 'Occupy' might sound a little more formal or even slightly dated in this specific context.
This distinction between 'take' and 'make' is golden. I've been making this mistake for years! So glad I found Translateen.com. My English will definitely improve because of articles like this.
Thank you for the kind words, Wei! We're delighted to hear that our content is making a real difference in your English journey. Mastering these subtle collocation differences truly elevates your fluency. Keep coming back for more insights!