commissioner

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "commissioner" is an acceptable and useful word in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who has been appointed to oversee or manage a particular task or department. For example, "The mayor appointed an energy commissioner to investigate the city's rising electricity costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clarke held talks on this at a recent EU-Latin America summit in Chile with Karel De Gucht, the European trade commissioner.

The Guardian

The former European trade commissioner said: "For far too long, those who want to destroy Britain's interests and influence in Europe have been allowed to get away with murder with the lies and false propaganda they have poured out about the European Union and what it represents for our country.

The Guardian

The newly elected police commissioner, Labour's Tony Lloyd, would go, replaced by the mayor.

The Guardian

But Cooper said that the government has only accepted 140 Syrian refugees via the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) which has identified the most vulnerable.

The Guardian

"The blatant violations of international humanitarian and human rights law have been pointed out very clearly by the UN's commissioner for human rights," Amos told the Guardian during a visit to Tokyo, where she was attending a conference on improving responses to humanitarian crises in the Asia-Pacific.

The Guardian

Bratton doesn't accept blame for the stop-and-frisk explosion that blew up after he moved on from his first stint as NYPD commissioner from 1994 until 1996.

The Guardian

Crime in London overall has fallen since Hogan-Howe became commissioner in 2011.

The Guardian

He told the housing fringe at his party's conference: "If we are to address both the cyclical nature of the market and the structural under-supply of housing, then I think we also need to consider whether the government should operate as a commissioner of housing.

The Guardian

The 46-year-old former deputy prime minister of Denmark has moved to Brussels to become the EU's new competition commissioner.

The Guardian

Bassi, Delhi's police commissioner, told reporters on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Ryan Heath, a spokesman for the EU's digital commissioner, Neelie Kroes, said the internet tax was "bad in principle" and could hinder economic growth.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commissioner" when referring to a high-ranking official appointed to lead or supervise a specific department or task force.

Common error

Avoid using "commissioner" generically for any manager; reserve it for officials with a specific commission or mandate. If you use it loosely, your authority will be diluted.

Linguistic Context

The word "commissioner" functions primarily as a noun, designating an individual appointed to a specific position of authority or oversight. As confirmed by Ludwig, the term is standard and appropriate in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "commissioner" is a common and grammatically sound term used to denote an individual holding an official position with specific oversight responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to identify individuals in leadership roles across diverse fields. Its usage spans from neutral to professional registers, predominantly appearing in news and formal contexts. When using this term, it is essential to ensure clarity regarding the individual's specific area of authority to prevent ambiguity. Related terms include "official in charge" or "head of department", offering alternative ways to describe similar roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official in charge

Focuses on the aspect of being in control or having authority.

head of department

Specifies the role as leading a specific organizational unit.

director

A more general term for someone who manages or guides an organization or project.

administrator

Emphasizes the administrative responsibilities of the position.

regulator

Highlights the role of overseeing and enforcing rules and standards.

chief

A simple and direct term for a leader or head.

supervisor

Focuses on the aspect of overseeing and directing the work of others.

governor

Implies a role of leadership and control, often in a political or organizational context.

manager

A general term for someone responsible for managing resources and people.

overseer

Emphasizes the role of watching over and directing activities.

FAQs

How is the term "commissioner" typically used in a sentence?

The word "commissioner" is often used to describe an individual appointed to oversee a specific department or task, such as "police commissioner" or "trade commissioner". For example, "The police commissioner announced new safety measures".

Are there alternative titles I can use instead of "commissioner"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "official in charge", "head of department", or "director".

What is the difference between a "commissioner" and a "manager"?

While both roles involve leadership, a "commissioner" typically oversees a specific area with a defined mandate, whereas a "manager" has broader responsibilities for resources and personnel.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "commissioner"?

The term "commissioner" is particularly appropriate in governmental, law enforcement, and regulatory contexts where individuals are appointed to oversee specific areas of responsibility. A "regulator" is also a good example.