situation wanted

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseold-fashioned

   A short heading used in job advertisements by someone who is looking for work.

   Grammar: Used as a heading or label, not as a normal sentence; it does not take an article.

   Patterns

   • situation wanted
   • a situation wanted advertisement
   • put an advertisement under situation wanted

   In the 1950s, many newspapers had a section called 'situations wanted' where people advertised for work.

   He placed a small 'situation wanted' notice in the local paper.

   The phrase 'situation wanted' looks strange to modern readers, who expect 'job wanted'.

2. 2nouncountableold-fashionedformal

   A paid position or job that someone is trying to find.

   Grammar: In this older use, 'situation' means a job; it is countable and can be used alone.

   Patterns

   • a situation wanted
   • find a situation
   • apply for a situation

   She was looking for a situation as a governess in a large household.

   The employment office helped him find a suitable situation in a bank.

Common combinations

situation wanted advertisement

There was a situation wanted advertisement in the corner of the page.

situations wanted column

The situations wanted column was full of handwritten notices.

place a situation wanted ad

He decided to place a situation wanted ad in the weekly paper.

Synonyms and how they differ

job wanted

The modern equivalent and much more common today.

seeking employment

A formal phrase used on résumés and application letters, not in newspaper headings.

Opposites

Word family

situation vacant phrase

The opposite heading, used by employers advertising a job.

Commonly confused: situation wanted or situation?

Practice

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