counterpart

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'counterpart' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that has the same purpose or role as another person or thing. For example: The new CEO has a lot to live up to. Her predecessor was highly regarded in the business community and she will be expected to match his success as her counterpart.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unlike Alistair Darling and his threat to increase national insurance, his Irish counterpart Brian Lenihan has resisted raising any direct taxes.

The Guardian

They get a lecturing from the so-called Socialists of France about prudence, while Varoufakis has been labelled by his German counterpart as "foolishly naive".

The Guardian - Opinion

Though he did not say it, the French bishop may also be replacing his British counterpart as a spokesman for the movement.

The Guardian

The chair of the BMA in Scotland, Dr Peter Bennie, has seen his salary go up 137%, from £32,205 to £76,431, while his counterpart in Wales, Dr Philip Banfield, has also received an increase of 99%, from £31,500 to £62,631.

The Guardian

From the New Road end he certainly turned the ball sharply at times, managed to take the wickets of Rutherford – who, out of character with the tone of this particular innings, charged, missed and was stumped – and Mark Craig, who will be his Kiwi spinning counterpart at Lord's and drove to short extra cover where Ross Whitely took a sharp catch well.

The Guardian - Sport

All this makes Darlington, a marginal Labour seat where the Liberals have high hopes, a counterpart to Bermondsey in plotting the extent to which Labour's standing nationally maybe collapsing.

The Guardian

The chairman of Barclays has questioned how his counterpart at Standard Chartered has managed to hold down other jobs while chairing the emerging markets bank.

The Guardian - Business

William Hague, the foreign secretary, and his American counterpart John Kerry have said that Syria's moderate opposition should "commit itself fully" to planned peace talks.

The Guardian

Then came singer Bono, model Naomi Campbell, South African president Jacob Zuma and his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe.

The Guardian

Via Reuters: Meeting for breakfast, Republican House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and his Democratic counterpart in the Senate, Patty Murray, said they would explore every avenue to reach a longer-term deal to reduce deficits and replace automatic "sequester" spending cuts.

The Guardian

On 28 April Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, told his US counterpart, Chuck Hagel, that Russian forces had returned to their places of permanent deployment, and on 7 May Putin said Russia had pulled back from the border.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "counterpart", ensure the relationship between the two entities is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming a "counterpart" is identical in all aspects; the term only implies a correspondence in specific functions or characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The noun "counterpart" functions as a referential term, designating a person or thing that holds a similar position or performs a comparable role to another. It is often used to establish a comparative relationship between entities across different organizations or systems, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "counterpart" is a commonly used noun that refers to someone or something holding a similar position or function as another, often in a different organization or context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "counterpart" serves to establish equivalence and facilitate comparisons between entities. When using this term, clarify the relationship between the entities to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "opposite number" and "equivalent", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opposite number

Emphasizes the parallel role or position of someone in a different organization.

equivalent

Highlights the similarity in value, function, or meaning.

corresponding entity

Focuses on the parallel existence or function of an entity.

matching item

Refers to something that corresponds or pairs with another item.

parallel component

Highlights the similar part or element in a different system or structure.

counter player

Describes someone playing an opposite role

correlate

Suggests a mutual relationship or connection.

complement

Implies something that completes or enhances another.

coordinate

Emphasizes the aspect of working together to achieve a common goal

peer

Suggests similarity in status or ability

FAQs

How can I use "counterpart" in a sentence?

Use "counterpart" to refer to someone or something that has the same function or position as another person or thing in a different place or organization. For instance, "The US Secretary of State met with his Russian "counterpart" to discuss the treaty".

What's the difference between "counterpart" and "equivalent"?

"Counterpart" refers to someone or something that has a similar role or function in a different organization or context, while "equivalent" implies that two things have the same value or significance. Although they can be interchangeable in some contexts, they have nuanced differences.

What are some alternatives to "counterpart"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "opposite number", "equivalent", or "parallel".

Is it correct to use "counterpart" when referring to inanimate objects?

Yes, "counterpart" can be used for both people and inanimate objects as long as they have a corresponding function or role. For example, "The digital version is the modern "counterpart" to the traditional paper map".