a foreign office

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foreign office" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a government department or agency responsible for foreign affairs, diplomacy, or international relations. Example: "The ambassador was summoned to the foreign office to discuss the recent developments in trade negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Casement tried at first to use the services of a foreign office to ease suffering.

The New York Times - Books

It is led by a national security adviser, Sir Kim Darroch, a foreign office mandarin.

The Economist

His mother, Janet, was in court this morning, a foreign office spokesman said.

The Guardian

A Foreign Office source said that the appointment represented "continuity of modernisation".

The Guardian

A Foreign Office source said officials were checking if it was "possible to return to the system".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He was offered a foreign-office ministership but declined it, apparently considering the job beneath his dignity.

The Economist

A Foreign Office spokesman said Foreign Secretary David Miliband was "appalled" by the memo.

The New York Times

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The foreign secretary will not attend the meeting convened for Sunday.

The Guardian

A Foreign Office spokeswoman defended Britain's position.

The Guardian

Asked about the allegations, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: "The government's position on torture is clear.

The Guardian

A Foreign Office official attended the ceremony.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a foreign office", ensure clarity regarding the specific country or entity you are referring to. For instance, specify "the British Foreign Office" or "the French Foreign Office" for better context.

Common error

Avoid using "a foreign office" interchangeably with domestic government departments. "A foreign office" specifically deals with international relations and diplomatic affairs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foreign office" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI states that it's a correct phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts relating to government statements, diplomatic summonses and general discussions of international relations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a foreign office" refers to a government department responsible for managing a country's foreign relations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While "a foreign office" is grammatically sound and understandable, it appears with relatively uncommon frequency, primarily in news and media contexts. The most common alternatives include "ministry of foreign affairs" and "foreign ministry". When using the phrase, it's best practice to specify the country to avoid ambiguity. It's important to avoid using "a foreign office" to refer to domestic government departments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Foreign ministry

A shortened version of ministry of foreign affairs, this term is often used interchangeably with "a foreign office".

Office of international affairs

Similar in meaning, this phrase may refer to a specific division or branch within a larger governmental organization.

Ministry of foreign affairs

This refers to the government department responsible for foreign policy and relations, similar to "a foreign office" but more formal and specific.

Foreign affairs agency

A more general term to denote the entity responsible for managing a country's foreign relations.

Bureau of foreign relations

A specific division or section within a foreign office or ministry, handling international matters.

Department of state

In some countries, like the United States, the equivalent of "a foreign office" is the Department of State.

External affairs department

This phrase is a general term for the government body dealing with international relations.

State department

Another way of saying Department of State, particularly in US contexts.

Diplomatic service

This refers to the body of government officials representing a country abroad, encompassing the functions of "a foreign office".

Chancellery

In certain countries, this term designates the office of the chancellor or a similar high-ranking official responsible for foreign policy.

FAQs

What does "a foreign office" typically do?

A "foreign office" is responsible for a country's foreign policy, diplomatic relations, and international negotiations. It also provides assistance to citizens abroad.

What is the difference between "a foreign office" and "a foreign ministry"?

The terms "a foreign office" and "a foreign ministry" are often used interchangeably to refer to the government department responsible for foreign affairs.

How can I use "a foreign office" in a sentence?

You might say, "The ambassador was summoned to "a foreign office" for consultations" or ""A foreign office" issued a statement condemning the attack".

What is the equivalent of "a foreign office" in the United States?

In the United States, the equivalent of "a foreign office" is the Department of State.