clerical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clerical" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe tasks or duties related to office work, administration, or record-keeping. Example: "Her clerical duties include filing documents and managing correspondence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Clerical workers at the TUC were poorly paid; the lowest-paid clerical workers at the TUC were female.

The Guardian

The MoD said the meeting at the Mandarin Oriental hotel took place during Fox's annual leave and was not included in the original list released last week due to a "clerical error".

The Guardian

Because despite protestations from the Irish church and Rome that they had changed, that new guidelines on child protection were being adhered to, the clerical authorities were still behaving as if it was the old days when they dealt with this sort of things behind closed doors, away from the rigours of the laws everyone has to abide by.

The Guardian

He was promoted to a clerical job in the union's education department, arranging courses for London busmen.

The Guardian

He was also active in collecting funds to support the mujahideen who were encouraged to fight the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s – Osama bin Laden was the most famous of them – and he worked closely with the Wahhabi clerical establishment.

The Guardian

A number of other former victims of clerical sex abuse such as Colm O'Gorman, now an author and prominent figure in Amnesty International Ireland, demanded that Brady resign in 2009 when the story about his role in the Smyth affair broke.

The Guardian

As this idea gained ground, so did the clerical habit of designating a married woman by her husband's surname.

The Guardian - Books

That honour, instead, went to John Wycliffe, a 14th-century theologian, scholar and clerical troublemaker who translated the Bible into English in the 1380s, and argued for much of his life against the power and wealth of the pope – a somewhat edgy pastime that led to his bones being dug up and burned after his death, before being chucked into a river in Leicestershire.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Vatican has hit out at what it calls an "anti-clerical, leftwing" campaign against Pope Francis, strongly rejecting accusations concerning his actions during Argentina's brutal military dictatorship.

The Guardian

The Vatican, for its part, said the accusations came from "anti-clerical, leftwing elements that are used to attacking the church".

The Guardian

They were summarily rejected.Deep Springs is one of only four remaining (non-clerical) all-male colleges in America.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clerical", clarify whether you are referring to office work or the clergy, depending on the context. Ensure your audience understands the intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "clerical" in contexts where it's unclear whether you mean office-related tasks or pertaining to the clergy. Choose a more specific term like "administrative" or "religious" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "clerical" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe things related to clerks or office work, or pertaining to the clergy. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English. Examples from Ludwig show usage in contexts like "clerical workers" and "clerical authorities".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clerical" is a versatile adjective with two primary meanings: relating to office work and relating to the clergy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While common, it's essential to ensure clarity by using more specific terms when ambiguity could arise. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, the term is grammatically sound and widely understood. Consider using "administrative" or "clergy-related" as alternatives when precision is paramount. Remember that the word is correct and usable in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clerkly

A direct synonym, although less commonly used than "clerical".

Clergy-related

Directly describes something associated with the clergy, mirroring one meaning of "clerical".

Administrative

Focuses on the function of managing tasks and processes, similar to some uses of "clerical".

Office-related

Describes something connected to general office work, similar to "clerical" in a workplace context.

Secretarial

Relates to the duties of a secretary, a specific type of "clerical" role.

Record-keeping

Emphasizes the act of maintaining records, often a key part of "clerical" responsibilities.

Ministerial

Implies duties related to religious ministry, similar to the "clerical" when referring to the clergy.

Paperwork-related

Specifically indicates tasks involving documents, a common aspect of "clerical" work.

Ecclesiastical

Refers to matters related to the church, akin to one sense of "clerical".

Bureaucratic

Implies adherence to established rules and procedures, sometimes associated with "clerical" functions.

FAQs

How is the word "clerical" typically used?

The word "clerical" is used to describe things related to office work (like "clerical duties") or to the clergy (like "clerical authorities"). The context usually makes it clear which meaning is intended.

What is a good synonym for "clerical" when referring to office work?

If you mean office work, you can use terms like "administrative", "office-related", or "secretarial" instead of "clerical".

What does "clerical" mean in a religious context?

In a religious context, "clerical" refers to things related to the clergy, such as "clerical establishment" or "clerical rule". It describes the functions, authority, or members of the clergy.

Is it better to avoid using "clerical" because it has two different meanings?

Not necessarily. While "clerical" does have two meanings, the context usually makes the intended meaning clear. If there's any chance of confusion, using a more specific term like "administrative" or "clergy-related" can improve clarity.