The headquarters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "The headquarters" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to the headquarters of an organization, group, or company. For example, "The headquarters of the business was in a large, modern office building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The headquarters was at Sehore.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The headquarters space is bare.

The New York Times

The headquarters are in St .Louis, Missouri.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The headquarters building itself suffered from neglect.

The New York Times

The headquarters are in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The headquarters were in Bentley Priory.

The New Yorker

The headquarters was burned to the ground.

The Guardian

The headquarters were Steve Strange's Blitz nights.

The Guardian - Music

The headquarters is to open in July.

The New York Times

The headquarters were moved to Nashville, Tenn.

Forbes

The Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the headquarters", ensure it's clear which organization's headquarters you're referring to, especially if the context involves multiple entities. For instance, specify "the company's headquarters" or "the military headquarters" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "headquarters". It's common to say "headquarters is in [location]" or "headquarters are in [location]" (depending on whether you treat headquarters as singular or plural), but avoid constructions like "headquarters at [location]" unless specifying a more precise point within the location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "The headquarters" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a definite noun phrase. It identifies a particular location serving as the main administrative or operational center. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "The headquarters" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase referring to the main administrative or operational center of an organization. Ludwig AI validates this, and the phrase is frequently encountered in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about which organization's headquarters is being referenced. Be mindful of preposition usage, favoring "is in" or "are in" constructions. Consider alternatives like "the central office" or "the command center" for variety and context-specific emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The central office

Replaces "headquarters" with a more general term for the main office.

The main base

Emphasizes the primary operational location rather than the administrative center.

The command center

Highlights the function of control and decision-making.

The home office

Focuses on the domestic base of operations.

The nerve center

Implies a critical hub where activities are coordinated.

The organization's hub

Uses "hub" as a synonym for a central point of activity.

The principal location

Highlights the primary geographical site.

The corporation's base of operations

Replaces "headquarters" with a more verbose description of the central business function.

The seat of power

Suggests the location where authority is concentrated.

The central administration

Focuses on the administrative function of the location.

FAQs

How do I use "The headquarters" in a sentence?

You can use "The headquarters" to refer to the main office or operational center of an organization. For example, "The headquarters of the company is located in New York City" or "The headquarters staff is responsible for coordinating all regional activities".

Is it grammatically correct to say "The headquarters is" or "The headquarters are"?

Both "The headquarters is" and "The headquarters are" can be considered grammatically correct, depending on whether you treat "headquarters" as a singular or plural noun. Using "is" emphasizes the location as a single entity, while using "are" emphasizes the collective nature of the people working there. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What are some alternatives to saying "The headquarters"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the central office", "the main base", or "the command center".

In what contexts is the phrase "The headquarters" most commonly used?

"The headquarters" is frequently used in contexts related to news and media, encyclopedias, science, and wiki articles, where there is a need to specify the central location or administrative center of an organization or operation.