at ministers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at ministers" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something related to ministers, but without additional context, it is unclear how to use it appropriately. Example: "The meeting will be held at ministers' offices to discuss the new policy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Occasionally India's tycoons agree to some political theatre, flying to Delhi to grumble at ministers about economic bottlenecks.

The Economist

By ending Whitehall direction, the government would insist that benefit rules and discretions would thenceforth be for local councillors to determine, such that the arrow of blame would not point entirely at ministers but be shared with local electors.

The Guardian - Opinion

As for saving the planet – what we are really trying to save, as we scrabble around planting turbines on mountains and shouting at ministers, is not the planet but our attachment to the western material culture, which we cannot imagine living without.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dr Bousted hit out at ministers for holding teachers solely responsible for the educational outcomes of the poor.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He is said to have become irritated at ministers arriving at official functions with their floozies instead of their wives.The president of the lower house, Heng Samrin, a CPP man, argued that the new law would cut Cambodia's rampant corruption, since "if a government official has many wives or mistresses, he will become greedy for the state's money".

The Economist

In it, he blows a raspberry at ministers, suggesting the food business was suffering from a dearth of chefs, butchers and vegetable growers and that a neglect of college vocational education would exacerbate this.

The Guardian

It would be unusual for a junior minister to be promoted to cabinet rank without a spell at minister of state level but these are unusual times.

BBC

At Minister Holst's funeral the Norwegians created the space and energy that gave me hope that humankind could live in peace.

Huffington Post

AT Ministers appear to have acknowledged that finding a quick agreement within the Conservative party over how to abolish the Human Rights Act will not be possible.

The Guardian

He has yelled at Foreign Ministers and cursed at a President.

The New Yorker

At first, ministers denied all knowledge of the wiretap.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at" with "ministers", ensure a clear verb or context indicates the relationship, such as "shouting at ministers" or "a conference at ministers' offices".

Common error

Avoid using "at ministers" without a clarifying verb. This construction often lacks a clear meaning. Instead, use a more explicit phrase such as "directed at ministers" or "with ministers" to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at ministers" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It typically requires a preceding verb or noun to establish a clear grammatical relationship, indicating direction, location, or association. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase lacks a clear meaning in isolation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at ministers" is a prepositional phrase that, according to Ludwig AI, lacks clarity without additional context. It appears primarily in "News & Media" sources, denoting direction, location, or association with government officials. The grammatical status is considered "Incorrect" in isolation, and its frequency is "Uncommon". For improved clarity, consider alternatives like "directed at ministers" or "with ministers". Ensure a preceding verb clarifies the relationship when using this phrase. Overall, careful contextualization is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with ministers

Denotes being together or collaborating with ministers.

directed at ministers

Replaces 'at' with 'directed at', emphasizing the target of an action or communication.

addressed to ministers

Highlights that communication is specifically intended for ministers.

towards ministers

Similar to 'directed at', but can also indicate a general direction or orientation.

concerning ministers

Focuses on topics or issues relating to ministers.

regarding ministers

Similar to 'concerning', but perhaps slightly more specific.

in the presence of ministers

Formal way of indicating being together or in front of ministers.

in relation to ministers

Indicates a connection or association with ministers.

near ministers

Indicates physical proximity to ministers.

before ministers

Indicates appearing or acting in front of ministers, typically in a formal setting.

FAQs

How can I properly use "at ministers" in a sentence?

The phrase "at ministers" is vague and often requires a verb to clarify its meaning. Consider using phrases like "directed at ministers" or "speaking with ministers" for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "at ministers"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "at ministers" include "directed at ministers", "concerning ministers", or "before ministers".

Is it grammatically correct to say "at ministers"?

While not inherently incorrect, "at ministers" is often incomplete and requires additional context to make sense. Using a more descriptive phrase is generally recommended.

When is it appropriate to use "at ministers"?

Use "at ministers" when you are describing an action or state directed towards or occurring in the presence of ministers, ensuring the verb provides the necessary context. For example, "protests aimed at ministers".