Cool MateEmployment vs Position
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Employment
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Position
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Position
| Employment | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪmˈplɔɪmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪmˈplɔɪmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈzɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pəˈzɪʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | Having a job or work. | A specific place or location where something is or someone is. |
| Example | Employment opportunities are growing in the tech industry. | She applied for the position of manager at the company. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | paid, salaried, full-time, level, look for, seek, find, grow, increase, rise, opportunities, options, possibilities, in employment, out of employment, conditions of employment, terms of employment, a contract of employment, paid, salaried, full-time, level, look for, seek, find, grow, increase, rise, opportunities, options, possibilities, in employment, out of employment, conditions of employment, terms of employment, a contract of employment | correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position, correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position, comfortable, uncomfortable, crouched, assume, change, shift, business, economic, financial, achieve, attain, reach, in a/the position, position of, extreme, ideological, philosophical, adopt, take, defend, position on, first, second, etc., establish, gain, secure, position among, position in, a position of authority, a position of influence, a position of power, full-time, part-time, current, have, hold, occupy, in a/the position, position at, position in, correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position, correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position, correct, exact, central, take, take up, jostle for, in position, into position, out of position |
| Antonyms | unemployment, idleness | displacement, removal, departure |
| Common mistakes | 'Employ' is confused with 'employment.', Using 'employment' as a verb instead of a noun., Saying 'employments' when referring to multiple types of work. | Confused with 'posture'; both involve positions but in different contexts., Using 'positions' when referring to roles without clarifying the context., Mixing up 'position' as a noun and 'to position' as a verb. |
| Usage notes | Use 'employment' in contexts related to jobs, careers, or positions. It is appropriate in business and professional settings but may sound overly formal in casual conversations. | Use 'position' to refer to a physical location or a role in a company. It's neutral and appropriate for most contexts, including formal and informal settings. Avoid using it in very casual speech when simpler terms like 'spot' or 'place' might work. |
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Frequently asked questions: Employment vs Position
What's the difference between Employment and Position?
Employment: Having a job or work. Position: A specific place or location where something is or someone is.
Which is more common: Employment and Position?
Position is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Employment and Position?
Employment is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Employment and Position the same CEFR level?
Employment: B1, Position: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Employment and Position?
Employment: noun, Position: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Employment: Employment opportunities are growing in the tech industry. Position: She applied for the position of manager at the company.
Can I use Employment and Position interchangeably?
Not always. Employment and Position are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.