What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incumbency
Example
The incumbent mayor has been in office for two terms. [incumbent: noun]
Example
During his incumbency, the senator introduced several bills related to education reform. [incumbency: noun]
Example
The incumbent president is seeking re-election. [incumbent: adjective]
tenure
Example
After five years of tenure, the professor was granted permanent employment. [tenure: noun]
Example
The company offers tenure to employees who have worked for more than three years. [tenure: noun]
Example
She was granted tenure after successfully completing the probationary period. [tenure: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tenure is more commonly used than incumbency in everyday language, particularly in academic and employment contexts. Incumbency is more commonly used in political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incumbency and tenure?
Both incumbency and tenure are formal words that are typically used in professional or academic settings. However, tenure is more commonly used in academic and employment contexts, which may make it slightly less formal than incumbency in political contexts.
