acting editor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acting editor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who is temporarily fulfilling the role of an editor, often in the absence of the regular editor. Example: "During the transition period, Jane will serve as the acting editor of the magazine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Stan Wischnowski will become acting editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer".

The New York Times

What more could she do?" says acting editor Jaki Bell.

Independent

He was succeeded by acting editor Harold Augenbraum.

Yale University

The acting editor that day, Paul Johnson, was not consulted.

The Guardian - Opinion

John Freeman, the publication's American editor, will be acting editor.

The New York Times - Books

Her deputy Victoria Kennedy has been acting editor since then.

The Guardian

He was appointed literary editor of the New Statesman in 1913, and acting editor in 1917.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But Elle's acting editor-in-chief, Jenny Dickinson, said that London deserved its position at the top.

Independent

Fairfax Media's editorial director, Sean Aylmer, said Holden's deputy Mark Forbes would be acting editor-in-chief.

The Guardian

From 1978 to 1986, he served as the acting editor-in-chief and then editor-in-chief of FRPS, as many as 35 volumes of which were published during that period.

Protein & Cell

Joe also filled in as acting Editor-in-Chief while Jim served as president of the ASTMH in 2011 2012.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acting editor", ensure the context clearly indicates the temporary nature of the role and, if possible, the reason for the temporary appointment.

Common error

Avoid implying that the "acting editor" is a permanent replacement. Use language that emphasizes the interim nature of their position to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acting editor" functions as a noun phrase, specifically an adjectival modifier plus a noun. The adjective "acting" modifies the noun "editor", indicating a temporary or provisional status. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this structure is both grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "acting editor" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone temporarily fulfilling the responsibilities of an editor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-understood and widely used. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the temporary nature of the role is clear. Alternatives such as "interim editor" or "temporary editor" can also be used to emphasize this aspect. Be mindful to avoid implying the role is permanent unless that is the case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interim editor

This term emphasizes the temporary nature of the role, similar to "acting editor".

temporary editor

This phrase directly indicates the limited duration of the editor's position.

stand-in editor

This suggests someone filling in temporarily for the regular editor.

provisional editor

This implies that the editor's appointment is subject to confirmation or further review.

caretaker editor

This suggests the editor is maintaining the position until a permanent replacement is found.

deputy editor in charge

This indicates the deputy editor is temporarily fulfilling the editor's responsibilities.

officiating editor

This term is less common but conveys the idea of someone officially performing the editor's duties temporarily.

ad-hoc editor

This indicates the editor was selected or is acting for that time only.

filling in as editor

This is a more verbose way of saying someone is temporarily performing the editor's duties.

editor pro tempore

This is a formal, Latinate way of expressing the temporary nature of the editor's role.

FAQs

How to use "acting editor" in a sentence?

You can use "acting editor" to describe someone who is temporarily fulfilling the duties of an editor, as in "John Doe is the "acting editor" while the regular editor is on leave."

What's a synonym for "acting editor"?

Synonyms for "acting editor" include "interim editor", "temporary editor", or "stand-in editor", all indicating a temporary role.

What is the role of an "acting editor"?

The role of an "acting editor" is to temporarily manage and oversee the editorial operations of a publication or media outlet in the absence of the permanent editor.

Is it appropriate to refer to someone as "acting editor"?

Yes, it is appropriate when the person is indeed temporarily fulfilling the editor's responsibilities. Ensure clear communication about the temporary nature of the role.