a school janitor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a school janitor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person responsible for cleaning and maintaining a school facility. Example: "The school janitor worked diligently to ensure that the classrooms were clean and welcoming for the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Officially, she was a school janitor.

The New York Times

A Laurinburg student once said that at midyear a school janitor was promoted to history teacher.

The New York Times - Sports

Harry Ferdinand, the father, is an auxiliary police officer and a school janitor.

The New York Times

An elementary school principal was shot to death Wednesday by a school janitor in Placerville, the police said.

The New York Times

Among 60-odd Pardhis squatting outside Ashti, only one has a formal job, as a school janitor.

The Economist

The background checks came in response to an incident involving a school janitor charged last month with driving while intoxicated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Moore broke into print at age 19 when she won Seventeen magazine's fiction contest with a story about a lovelorn school janitor.

The New York Times

It tells the story of Hannes, Viking-like with his white beard and weather-beaten visage, whose retirement as a high school janitor has prompted a deep early-old-age crisis, his life a void, his children alienated, his only pleasure solitary ocean fishing on a small boat that, like Hannes himself, has seen better days.

The New York Times

It's a deeply humbling experience, as the daughter of a high school janitor, to read such a thing.

Huffington Post

She can look out over the city and remember the days when her father was a public school janitor and her mother sewed coats in a factory and they all lived in a cold-water flat on 17th Street.

The New York Times

But by then, Mrs. Vliatsi, a retired school janitor whose left arm is paralyzed, said authorities could do little.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a school janitor", ensure the context clearly indicates the individual's role in maintaining cleanliness and order within an educational setting.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a school janitor" only handles cleaning duties; the role often includes minor repairs, security checks, and other maintenance tasks. Recognize their contribution extends beyond mere sanitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a school janitor" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifically an indefinite noun phrase. It identifies a person working as a janitor in a school setting. This is evident in examples from Ludwig where "a school janitor" is the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a school janitor" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an individual who maintains and cleans a school. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, primarily within News & Media contexts. While "school custodian" is a close synonym, "a school janitor" remains a widely understood and accepted term. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly relates to the individual's role in maintaining the school environment, encompassing cleaning, minor repairs, and security.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

school custodian

Replaces 'janitor' with 'custodian', a synonym referring to someone who maintains and cleans a school building.

school cleaner

Replaces 'janitor' with 'cleaner', focusing on the cleaning aspect of the job.

school maintenance worker

Expands the role beyond cleaning to include general maintenance tasks.

school caretaker

Uses 'caretaker' to emphasize the responsibility for the well-being of the school environment.

building supervisor at a school

Describes the role in terms of building oversight and supervision.

facilities manager in the school

Presents a more formal description of the role, common in larger institutions.

the school's cleaning staff

Shifts from an individual to the staff responsible for cleaning.

the school's sanitation engineer

An uncommon and often humorous euphemism for a janitor.

head of building maintenance at the school

Describes a leadership role within the maintenance department.

school's environmental services personnel

A modern, formal term emphasizing environmental care.

FAQs

What does "a school janitor" do?

The job of "a school janitor" typically includes cleaning classrooms and common areas, performing minor repairs, maintaining school grounds, and ensuring the building is secure.

What are some alternative names for "a school janitor"?

Alternatives include "school custodian", "school cleaner", and "maintenance worker", depending on the specific responsibilities.

Is it appropriate to use the term "a school janitor"?

Yes, the term "a school janitor" is widely understood and generally considered appropriate. More formal terms like "custodial staff" or "facilities manager" may be used in official contexts.

How can I refer to a female "school janitor"?

Use "a school janitor" regardless of gender. You can also say "the female school janitor" or "a female janitor at the school" for clarity if needed. Other terms such as "school custodian" are gender-neutral.