a state department

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a state department" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a governmental department that manages state affairs, typically in the context of a specific state or country. Example: "The state department is responsible for foreign relations and diplomatic initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & media

Formal & business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In Washington, a state department spokesman criticised the move.

The Guardian

Senior US officials urged "all sides to de-escalate the situation", a state department spokeswoman said.

BBC

One of the Americans killed was Sean Smith, a state department employee.

BBC

The project has been mired in politics and a state department review for years.

BBC

A state department spokesperson later specifically denied the charge.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Its president, Salam al-Marayati, recently returned from a State Department-sponsored trip to Warsaw.

The New York Times

A state department spokeswoman said the US was "closely monitoring the situation".

BBC

"Words are words," Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman, told reporters.

The New York Times

A State Department official also said the government department had not contacted Paypal.

BBC

A State Department spokesman said that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had called Mr. Yang.

The New York Times

We've got a State Department.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a state department", ensure the context clearly indicates which state or country's department you are referring to, as it is a generic term. Provide clarifying details if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "a state department" when referring to the U.S. State Department. The correct term is 'the State Department'. Using the indefinite article implies any state's department, not the specific U.S. entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a state department" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As noted by Ludwig, it refers to a governmental department responsible for state affairs. Examples show its use in describing various actions and roles of such departments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a state department" is a grammatically correct noun phrase referring to a governmental department managing state affairs. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples primarily from news and business contexts. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and used to identify or describe such departments. While not extremely common, understanding its proper usage—especially distinguishing it from 'the State Department' (U.S.)—is crucial for clear communication. Alternative phrases include "a foreign ministry" or "a government department", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the department of state

Switches from indefinite to definite article, implying a specific state's department.

the foreign office

Uses a shorter, more concise term for the foreign ministry.

a ministry of foreign affairs

Uses a more formal and internationally recognized term.

the department for external affairs

Highlights external relations, similar to foreign affairs.

a foreign ministry

Replaces "state" with "foreign", focusing on international affairs.

an office of international relations

Focuses on the department's role in international relations.

a government department

Substitutes "state" with the broader term "government".

a diplomatic service

Focuses on the function rather than the organizational structure.

a governmental agency

Offers a more generic term for an official body.

a public administration body

Replaces state-specific reference to public adminstration at large

FAQs

When should I use "a state department" versus "the State Department"?

"A state department" refers to any state's department, while "the State Department" specifically refers to the United States Department of State. Use "a" when the context isn't the US government, use "the" when it is.

What is another way to say "a state department"?

Depending on the context, you could use "a foreign ministry", "a government department", or "a ministry of foreign affairs".

Is "a state department" formal or informal language?

"A state department" is neutral language, appropriate for news reports and general discussion. More formal alternatives include "ministry of foreign affairs".

How does the role of "a state department" vary by country?

The specific responsibilities of "a state department" can vary depending on the country's governmental structure, but it generally involves foreign relations, international policy, and diplomatic efforts.