agent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'agent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person who works on behalf of another, such as a lawyer, real estate agent, or travel agent. For example, "My travel agent helped me find a great deal for my vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For me, it was while trying to pre-board an overcrowded flight to Miami with a noisy baby in my arms, only to be ordered back in line by a curt agent.

The Economist

They'll be able to tell you whether the property suffers from things like damp, or whether the landlord or letting agent is easy to get hold of when issues arise.

The Guardian

It tells the story of Joe Alston, a retired literary agent who feels that "he has gone downstream like a stick, getting hung up in eddies and getting flushed out again, only half understanding what he floated past, and understanding less with every year.

The Guardian - Books

Al-Jazeera is not an agent of a state, and few (except perhaps the US military) would claim that it is an agent of Bin Laden.

The Guardian

But it is not the first time journalists have been deliberately targeted: Serb television was bombed during the Kosovo conflict because it was seen as an agent and advocate of state terrorism.

The Guardian

A Labour party member from 1950, he had acted as an election agent in 1959 and was elected to the local council in 1966.

The Guardian

The Observer has learned that the leader of the gang is a highly-paid British agent who joined the Loyalist Volunteer Force to foment sectarian strife in his native north Belfast during the 1990s.

The Guardian

The estate agent around the corner reckons an apartment like Gurlitt's would currently sell for up to €5,000 euros per square metre.

The Guardian

NGOs are also required to mark their publications with the term, and start any oral statement with a disclosure that it is being delivered by a foreign agent.

The Guardian

At first, Naipaul's literary agent (soon to be fired) judged the book too "cerebral" and, as the author sourly notes, "a year's work fetched only $25,000".

The Guardian - Books

Of course, he doesn't have my voice to work with: look at me while I'm talking and I sound fine - some might even say impressive - but put on a blindfold and I suddenly sound like an estate agent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "agent", ensure the context clearly defines who or what the agent is acting on behalf of to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "agent" as a verb. "Agent" is primarily a noun. Use more appropriate verbs like 'represent', 'act for', or 'mediate' instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "agent" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a person or entity acting on behalf of another. Ludwig provides examples of "agent" used to describe various roles, from literary agents to secret service agents. As Ludwig AI states, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "agent" is a grammatically sound and very common noun used to describe someone or something that acts on behalf of another. According to Ludwig, this usage is correct, and the examples from various sources demonstrate its wide applicability, ranging from business and media to science and government. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify who or what the "agent" represents. While "agent" is primarily a noun, avoid using it as a verb. Consider related phrases like "representative" or "intermediary" depending on the context to add nuance. Ludwig provides these insights based on a thorough analysis of numerous real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

representative

Focuses on the act of representing someone or something else.

intermediary

Highlights the role of facilitating communication or negotiation between parties.

broker

Specifically refers to someone who arranges transactions between a buyer and a seller.

delegate

Emphasizes the assigned authority to act on behalf of someone.

operative

Suggests someone working undercover or in a covert operation.

official

Implies a formal position within an organization or government.

factor

Refers to a person who transacts business for another.

proxy

Indicates someone authorized to act on another's behalf, especially in voting.

liaison

Emphasizes the role of communication and coordination between groups.

advocate

Highlights the act of supporting or defending a cause or person.

FAQs

How can I use "agent" in a sentence?

You can use "agent" to refer to someone who acts on behalf of another, as in "My real estate agent helped me find a house", or to describe a force or substance that produces an effect, as in "Heat is a powerful agent of change".

What's the difference between "agent" and "representative"?

"Agent" typically implies a formal agreement to act on someone's behalf, while "representative" ("representative") simply means someone who stands for or symbolizes a group or entity. An agent has specific authority, a representative may not.

What can I say instead of "agent" in a business context?

Depending on the specific role, you could use terms like "intermediary" ("intermediary"), "broker" ("broker"), or "liaison" ("liaison") to describe someone who facilitates transactions or communication.

Is it correct to use "agent" to describe an inanimate object?

Yes, "agent" can describe an inanimate object or force that produces a particular effect or change. For example, you might say, "Water is a powerful agent of erosion."