a human resource

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a human resource" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of business or organizational discussions to refer to the personnel or workforce of a company. Example: "The company is investing in training programs to enhance the skills of its human resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Patrick Gilbert is a human resource consultant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This makes buildings, in essence, a human resource tool.

Harvard Business Review

The bridegroom, 36, is a human resource manager for the libraries at Columbia University.

The New York Times

Her father is a sales training consultant in Madison for Kenexa, a human resource consulting firm.

The New York Times - Style

Teresa Hodge went to federal prison after years as a human resource professional.

The Washington Post

Sergeant Ko, a human resource specialist, had served in Iraq, said Raymond Gall, the spokesman.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Paul D. Storfer, president of HR Technologies, a human-resource management firm in Purchase, N.Y., seconds that.

The New York Times

In short, people are the key strategic resource, and strategy must be built on a human-resource foundation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It's clear that there's a human-resource limitation overseas that's far larger than what we have in this country," says MGH's Olson.

MIT Technology Review

Last year Hewitt Associates, one of Towers Perrin's main rivals, merged with Exult, a human-resource outsourcing specialist.Future growth in outsourcing is going to be harder to find.

The Economist

Most people start out as doers, and they have a function — they're a marketing person, a human-resource person, a finance person, a production person.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the collective value and skills of employees, consider using "human capital" instead of "a human resource" to emphasize their contributions.

Common error

Avoid using "a human resource" in casual conversation; opt for more natural terms like "employee" or "team member" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a human resource" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it referring to individuals in HR roles or the HR function itself. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a human resource" is a grammatically sound noun phrase frequently used to describe individuals or departments involved in human resource management. As Ludwig AI points out, the term is correct for written English and most often found in business, formal, and news contexts. While widely accepted, consider alternative phrases like "human capital" or "employee" for more nuanced or personal communication. Be mindful of the register and avoid overuse in casual settings. The authoritative sources show consistent use in professional and formal discussions related to workforce management and organizational strategy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human resources

Plural form of the phrase, referring to the department or function rather than an individual.

human capital

Emphasizes the skills and knowledge that employees bring to an organization.

personnel

A more general term for employees.

workforce

Refers to the group of people available for work.

an employee

Focuses on a single individual within the organization.

a staff member

Similar to employee, highlighting membership in a team.

a team member

Highlights the collaborative aspect of an employee's role.

a company asset

Views employees as valuable resources to the company.

a labor resource

Focuses on the availability of workers for production.

a member of staff

Formal way of saying staff member.

FAQs

How can I use "a human resource" in a sentence?

You can use "a human resource" to refer to an individual within a company's workforce or the human resources department itself. For example, "She is "a human resource manager" at the company".

What are some alternatives to "a human resource"?

Alternatives include "human capital", "personnel", "workforce", or "employee" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a human resource" when referring to a person?

While grammatically correct, using "a human resource" to describe a person directly can sound impersonal. Terms like "employee" or "team member" are often preferred for a more human-centered approach.

What's the difference between "a human resource" and "human capital"?

"A human resource" generally refers to the function or individual performing HR duties, while "human capital" emphasizes the skills, knowledge, and value that employees bring to an organization. The latter views employees as assets contributing to the company's overall success.