a foreign minister

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foreign minister" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the government official responsible for foreign affairs in a country. Example: "The foreign minister announced new diplomatic initiatives during the press conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There will be a president of the European Council and a foreign minister.

The Economist

THE latest Japanese political scandal has already cost a foreign minister her job.

The Economist

From their perspective, why should they?" Diary of a Foreign Minister is published by NewSouth, $49.99.

The Guardian

This is not a foreign minister who is happy at banquets.

The Economist

Mr Miliband was also highly thought of as a foreign minister.

The Economist

Mr Basaev's new government has a "foreign minister" and a "defence minister".

The Economist

He says he will be governor general of Australia... not a foreign minister.

The Guardian

The constitution provides for a union president, a foreign minister and a structured defense policy.

The New York Times

He had originally pledged to name a foreign minister before the end of July.

The New York Times

There may be a foreign minister, but foreign policy will remain subject to unanimity.

The New York Times

In Soviet times, Lenin played tennis, and later, so did Vyacheslav Molotov, a foreign minister.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and choose the appropriate title for the official. "Secretary of State" is common in the U.S., while "Foreign Minister" is common elsewhere. Ensure consistency.

Common error

Avoid attributing all foreign policy decisions solely to the "foreign minister". While they play a crucial role, foreign policy is often a collaborative effort involving multiple government departments and leaders.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foreign minister" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in describing government officials responsible for foreign affairs. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foreign minister" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the government official responsible for a country's foreign affairs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and common. It typically appears in neutral to professional contexts, most prominently in news and media, followed by formal and business settings. When using the phrase, it's helpful to provide context by including their name and country on first mention. Consider alternatives such as "minister of foreign affairs" or "chief diplomat" to add variety to your writing, as Ludwig's examples show.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Minister of foreign affairs

Formal title for the role of a foreign minister.

Foreign secretary

Another common title for the position, used in some countries.

External affairs minister

Alternative title for the foreign minister, focusing on external relations.

Minister for international relations

Emphasizes the international aspect of the role.

Secretary of state

In some countries, like the United States, this is the equivalent position.

Chief diplomat

Highlights the diplomatic role of the foreign minister.

Head of foreign policy

Focuses on the policy-making aspect of the role.

Diplomatic representative

Highlights the representational function of the minister.

Government's foreign envoy

Describes the minister as an official messenger for the government's foreign policy.

International affairs spokesperson

Focuses on the communication aspect of the minister's role.

FAQs

How to use "a foreign minister" in a sentence?

The phrase "a foreign minister" typically refers to the government official responsible for a country's foreign affairs. For example: "The newly appointed "a foreign minister" announced new diplomatic initiatives."

What can I say instead of "a foreign minister"?

You can use alternatives like "minister of foreign affairs", "secretary of state" (in some countries), or "chief diplomat" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a foreign minister" or "the foreign minister"?

"A foreign minister" is used when referring to any foreign minister in general or when introducing a foreign minister for the first time. "The foreign minister" is used when referring to a specific foreign minister already mentioned or known in the context.

What are the key responsibilities of "a foreign minister"?

The responsibilities of "a foreign minister" typically include conducting international negotiations, representing their country in international forums, and advising the government on foreign policy matters.