clerking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'clerking' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal verb, often used to refer to doing paperwork or administrative tasks. For example, "John spent all day clerking in the office, entering data and filing documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Justice Rehnquist insisted these were not his views, but those of Justice Robert Jackson for whom he was clerking at the time.

The Economist

After clerking in a textile mill, Pitman entered a training college for teachers (1831) and taught in elementary schools for 11 years before opening his own private school in Bath.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the age of 15 Cole started clerking for the public-records historian, and eventually he became assistant keeper of the public-records office.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After clerking in a law firm in Buffalo, New York, he was admitted to the bar in 1859 and soon entered politics as a member of the Democratic Party.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In late 1964 she began clerking for a federal judge in Philadelphia before moving to New York City, where she became the assistant legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Penney's first job was clerking in a general store for a salary of $2.27 per month.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After clerking for the District Judge Stephen J McAuliffe, Biden joined the US Justice Department in its Office of Policy Development.

Independent

Upon receiving her law degree, Kagan spent several years clerking, first for Abner Mikva, who served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and then for Thurgood Marshall, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Abner Mikva, a five-term congressman from Illinois who was at that time Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit, tried to recruit Obama as a clerk, a position considered a stepping stone to clerking on the Supreme Court, but Obama turned him down.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Perhaps in an effort to absorb quickly the mores of the Court, Sotomayor has hired experienced clerks, including one who spent the past year clerking for Justice Stevens and another who clerked for Justice Ginsburg.

The New Yorker

Mr. Levy is enjoying the type of live-work lifestyle (and location) he envisioned back in his law-clerking days when he'd pass the glass-fronted concrete structure on lunch breaks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clerking" to describe a specific period of employment, especially in legal or medical fields. For general office tasks, consider alternatives like "office work" or "administrative tasks".

Common error

Avoid using "clerking" in highly formal documents where a more precise term like "performing administrative duties" or "serving as a clerk" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clerking" is as a present participle or gerund of the verb 'clerk'. It describes the action of working as a clerk, often in a legal or medical setting. This is supported by Ludwig, which highlights its use in sentences describing professional experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clerking" functions as a present participle or gerund, describing the act of working as a clerk, often in legal or medical fields. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used term. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where the specific nature of the clerical work is relevant. It is frequently found in "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias". Consider alternatives like "working as a clerk" for more general descriptions. While acceptable in many contexts, "clerking" should be used thoughtfully to maintain clarity and precision in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working as a clerk

Focuses on the general act of performing duties as a clerk.

serving as a clerk

Describes the role of someone employed as a clerk.

performing clerical duties

Emphasizes the specific actions carried out in a clerical role.

office work

Refers to routine administrative or clerical duties.

doing paperwork

Emphasizes the handling and processing of documents.

administrative tasks

Highlights the organizational and support functions involved.

assisting in the office

Focuses on providing support and help within an office environment.

managing records

Highlights the responsibility of maintaining and organizing information.

filing documents

Refers specifically to organizing and storing paper or digital records.

handling correspondence

Focuses on managing and responding to written communication.

FAQs

How is "clerking" typically used in a sentence?

"Clerking" is often used to describe a temporary position, especially in legal or medical settings. For example, "After graduating, she spent a year "clerking" for a judge."

What are some alternatives to using "clerking"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "working as a clerk", "performing clerical duties", or "doing paperwork".

Is there a difference between "clerking" and "interning"?

"Clerking" often implies a structured, often paid, role with specific responsibilities, particularly in legal or medical contexts. "Interning" /s/interning, while often unpaid, is a more general term for gaining experience.

When is it appropriate to use "clerking" in legal or medical contexts?

It's appropriate when referring to a formal, temporary position where one gains practical experience, such as ""clerking" for a judge" or ""clerking" in a hospital".