Secretary of state

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Secretary of state" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a high-ranking government official responsible for foreign affairs or a specific department within a government. Example: "The Secretary of State will be attending the international summit next week to discuss trade agreements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Secretary of State, perhaps.

Columbia University

Secretary of State Acheson!

The New Yorker

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton echoed that caution.

The New York Times

Secretary of state, 1982-89.

The New York Times

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice?

The New York Times

Secretary of State Colin Powell was here.

Forbes

Secretary of State: Sen.

Huffington Post

Secretary of state?

Huffington Post

Secretary of State John Kerry.

Huffington Post

Enter the secretary of state.

The New York Times

Barack Obama's Secretary of State?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific individual holding the office, capitalize the title (e.g., "Secretary of State John Kerry"). When used generically, lowercase the title (e.g., "The secretary of state handles foreign policy").

Common error

Avoid capitalizing "secretary of state" when referring to the position in general, as this error is frequent. Always use lowercase unless you're referring to a specific individual by name or title.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Secretary of state" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a title for a high-ranking government official. As confirmed by Ludwig, this title denotes individuals responsible for foreign affairs or specific government departments. Examples from Ludwig show its use in identifying specific individuals like "Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Secretary of state" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that identifies a high-ranking government official, typically responsible for foreign affairs. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to denote this specific role in a neutral to formal register. Usage examples on Ludwig demonstrate its prevalence in News & Media and academic contexts. When using the phrase, remember to capitalize it when referring to a specific individual and avoid capitalization when referring to the role in general. Alternatives like "foreign minister" can be used for semantic variation. Remember to follow best practices to ensure clear and correct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Foreign minister

This term is often used interchangeably with "Secretary of state", particularly outside the United States, referring to the government official responsible for foreign affairs.

Minister of foreign affairs

A more formal and internationally recognized title for the government official in charge of a nation's foreign policy.

Head of the foreign ministry

This phrase emphasizes the leadership role within the government department responsible for foreign relations.

Chief diplomat

This highlights the diplomatic function of the position, focusing on international negotiations and relations.

Secretary for external affairs

An alternative title that stresses the external relations aspect of the role.

Undersecretary of state

Refers to a subordinate position within the State Department, often assisting the Secretary of State.

Department of state leadership

This focuses on the collective leadership of the State Department, rather than a single individual.

High ranking government official

A broader term that encompasses various high-level positions within a government, not exclusively related to foreign affairs.

Cabinet member

This indicates membership in the executive branch of government, without specifying a particular role.

Senior advisor to the president

Describes a close advisory role to the head of state, which may or may not involve foreign policy.

FAQs

What is the role of a "Secretary of state"?

The role of a "Secretary of state" varies by country, but typically involves overseeing foreign affairs or managing a specific government department. In the United States, the Secretary of State is the chief foreign affairs advisor to the President.

What is another title with a similar meaning as "Secretary of state"?

A title with similar meaning is "foreign minister", which is commonly used in many countries to refer to the person in charge of foreign affairs.

How do you correctly capitalize "Secretary of state"?

Capitalize "Secretary of State" when referring to a specific person holding the office (e.g., "Secretary of State Antony Blinken"). Use lowercase "secretary of state" when referring to the general position.

Is it appropriate to use "Secretary of state" in formal writing?

Yes, "Secretary of state" is a formal and appropriate term for use in news articles, academic papers, and business communication when referring to the government official responsible for foreign affairs.