a state secretary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a state secretary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a government official responsible for a specific department or area within a state or government. Example: "The state secretary announced new policies aimed at improving education in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

In Massachusetts and other states, a state secretary is in charge.

The Economist

She gave up a state secretary ship in Bonn to campaign.

The New York Times

Sawsan Chebli, a state secretary in the Berlin regional government, said mandatory attendance would improve community relations.

The Times

"German competitiveness must be ensured," Matthias Machnig, a state secretary in the German Environment Ministry, said Monday.

The New York Times

Voters approved an amendment that will allow Gov. Bill Richardson to appoint a state secretary of education.

The New York Times

Like her ministers, she had sent a state secretary instead, who rattled through his answers in monotone legalese.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Representative Ron Klink, State Senator Allyson Schwartz and Tom P. Foley, a former state secretary of labor, are seeking the Democratic nomination.

The New York Times

A ministerial state secretary in St . Petersburgrepresented Finnish affairs to the emperor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kathleen O'Toole, a former state secretary of public safety, has been appointed commissioner of the Boston Police Department.

The New York Times

And the governor, Bobby Jindal, a former state secretary of health, has been one of the most prominent Republicans to offer an alternative proposal for a health care overhaul.

The New York Times - Health

In his current role as an Austrian state secretary, he has the opportunity to do something about that.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a state secretary", ensure you clarify which state is being referenced, especially if the context doesn't make it immediately clear. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your audience understands the specific governmental role you're discussing.

Common error

A common mistake is to not capitalize "State Secretary" when referring to a specific office or individual. Remember to capitalize the title when it precedes a name or refers to a particular position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a state secretary" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific governmental role. It serves to name a person holding a secretary position within a state government. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a state secretary" is a noun phrase used to identify a governmental role within a state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using the term, ensure that the specific state is clear to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "state minister" or "state department head" exist, "a state secretary" is a direct and widely understood term for this position.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Secretary of state

Reverses the order of words, but maintains the same meaning, referring to the same governmental position.

State minister

Uses "minister" as a synonym for "secretary", indicating a similar role in government.

State department head

Replaces "secretary" with "department head", emphasizing the administrative leadership aspect of the role.

Cabinet secretary

Implies the secretary is part of a cabinet, a group of advisors to a head of state.

Regional government secretary

Specifies the area of governance (regional), maintaining the same function of secretary.

State-level secretary

Uses "state-level" to clarify that the position is within a state government.

Secretary within state administration

Expands the description to clarify the position's place within the state administration.

Chief state administrator

Highlights the administrative duties of the secretary, suggesting a leadership role.

Leading state official

Describes the secretary as a high-ranking official within the state government.

Top state advisor

Focuses on the advisory role of the secretary, emphasizing their counsel to the state leadership.

FAQs

How is "a state secretary" different from "the secretary of state"?

"A state secretary" refers to a secretary within a state government, while "the secretary of state" typically refers to a federal position, such as the United States Secretary of State.

What is an alternative to using the term "a state secretary"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "state minister" or "state department head" to refer to a similar role.

Is it correct to capitalize "state secretary"?

Yes, capitalize "State Secretary" when it is used as a title directly preceding a name or when referring to a specific office. For example, "State Secretary John Doe" or "the State Secretary announced...".

What are the responsibilities of "a state secretary"?

The responsibilities vary depending on the state and the specific department they oversee. Generally, a state secretary manages a particular department within the state government, such as education, transportation, or health.