agents

USAGE SUMMARY

'agents' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who acts on behalf of another. For example, "The agents negotiated on behalf of the company to secure a new contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The cross-country flights somehow seemed to all be on old, broken-down planes, while gate agents and flight attendants all just seemed crabbier.

The Economist

Women – and their agents – needed to push harder, she said.

The Guardian - Film

The Sony revelations raised serious questions about agents.

The Guardian - Film

Forte agreed with Arquette "100%" but said it was difficult to quantify the pay gap, or to know whether fault lay with female actors or agents for not pushing hard enough, or with executives for resisting equal pay.

The Guardian - Film

In a letter handed out by activists to managers at each Shell station, John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, wrote: "28 activists and two journalists remain in detention after the seizure of our ship Arctic Sunrise by armed Russian Federal Security Bureau agents.

The Guardian

Take two relatively recent scandals of agents the forces of law and order were running within two main paramilitary force as evidence of this.

The Guardian

It is now beyond doubt that by the early 1990s the British state had agents littered all over the most effective paramilitary movement in the western world – the Provisional IRA.

The Guardian

Yet even when the security forces did actually recruit or send agents of the state into real terrorist organisations in the north of Ireland they too all too often crossed the line and broke the law.

The Guardian

He denied that Snowden was living in housing provided by the Russian government or under the protection of government agents, saying that the whistleblower lived off his salary and donations to a fund in his name.

The Guardian

Your university will probably have a list of agents that they know and trust.

The Guardian

Shares in Foxtons rose by 13%, and more than £100m of central London property was sold in a 24-hour frenzy, as estate agents worked through the night to deal with the renewed interest from wealthy buyers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific terms like "sales representatives", "real estate agents", or "literary agents" when the context allows for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "agents" when you mean "agencies". "Agents" refers to the individuals, while "agencies" are the organizations employing them.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "agents" is as a plural noun. It typically refers to multiple individuals or entities acting on behalf of another person, company, or organization. As confirmed by Ludwig, the word is correct and frequently used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Film

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Travel

6%

Science

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agents" functions as a plural noun, commonly used to denote individuals acting on behalf of others. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable term in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Film, and Formal & Business settings. When using "agents", clarity is key; specify the type of "agents" when possible (e.g., "real estate agents") and differentiate between "agents" (the individuals) and "agencies" (the organizations). By considering context and selecting appropriate alternatives like "representatives" or "brokers" where suitable, you can enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

representatives

Focuses on the act of representing or acting on behalf of someone.

brokers

Implies a role in negotiating or mediating transactions.

intermediaries

Highlights the position of being between two parties.

operators

Suggests individuals who manage or control a system or process.

officials

Refers to individuals holding a position of authority.

personnel

Emphasizes a group of people working for an organization.

operatives

Suggests individuals involved in secret or covert operations.

delegates

Highlights individuals chosen to represent a group or organization.

envoys

Focuses on individuals sent as diplomatic representatives.

emissaries

Implies individuals sent on a special mission.

FAQs

How can I use "agents" in a sentence?

You can use "agents" to refer to people who act on behalf of someone else. For example, "The real estate "agents" helped us find our new home."

What is a good alternative to the word "agents"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "representatives", "brokers", or "intermediaries".

What's the difference between "agents" and "agency"?

"Agents" are individuals acting on behalf of someone, while an "agency" is an organization or company. It is important to differentiate the plural form "agencies" /s/agencies from the agents themselves.

When is it appropriate to use the term "operatives" instead of "agents"?

Use "operatives" instead of "agents" when referring to individuals involved in covert or secret activities, such as intelligence "operatives".