deputy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deputy" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who is assigned to act as a substitute for another person, typically in a position of authority. For example, "Deputy Mayor Patrick was appointed to fill in while the Mayor is on vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Newry and Armagh MP said: "I have served the party as deputy leader through very difficult times.

The Guardian

Stella Creasy, the energetic MP for Walthamstow, has made this a central pillar of her bid for the party's deputy leadership but the field is crowded.

The Guardian - Opinion

Email: [email protected] / Twitter: @billcode Fred McConnell deputy video editor Fred joined the Guardian in London in 2013 as a digital journalism trainee.

The Guardian

Email: [email protected] / Twitter: @gabriellechan Katharine Murphy deputy political editor Katharine was national affairs correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and had senior roles at The Australian and The Australian Financial Review.

The Guardian

The deputy prime minister said: "We will led by the experts and the evidence at all time".

The Guardian

Guardian Australia's editor-in-chief Katharine Viner, who is also deputy editor of the Guardian, promised to deliver an independent perspective on Australian and world news using "digital storytelling" to spark debate and put readers at the heart of the discussion.

The Guardian

The Labour deputy leader, Harriet Harman, called for an apology, and a spokesman for the Liberal Democrats – increasingly eager to show they are locked in a loveless marriage with Cameron – said: "We would not have used that language".

The Guardian

Noel Kututwa, Amnesty's deputy director for Africa, said: "It appears the Zanu-PF supporters wanted to ensure that these women did not vote for the other parties and tried to compromise the secrecy of the ballot.

The Guardian

By this time, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had risen steadily through the group to become a trusted aide to its leader, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, and his deputy, the Egyptian jihadist Abu Ayub al-Masri.

The Guardian

It's a testament to the significance of the Snowden disclosures and also to the hard work of many principled legislators on both sides of the aisle," Jameel Jaffer, the group's deputy legal director, said in a statement.

The Guardian

In an implicit criticism of Labour and the Tories, the deputy prime minister said that the majority of Scottish voters were not yet being offered what they wanted in next year's vote: further devolution within the UK.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deputy", ensure clarity regarding the position or person they are deputizing for. For example, "deputy director" is clearer than just "deputy".

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "of" after "deputy" when it's unnecessary. For example, prefer "the deputy mayor" over "the deputy of the mayor".

Linguistic Context

The word "deputy" functions primarily as a noun, designating an individual appointed to act as a substitute or representative for another. It signifies a role of delegated authority and responsibility, mirroring examples found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "deputy" is a versatile noun used to describe someone who acts as a substitute or representative for another, typically in a position of authority. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in varied contexts, ranging from news reports to formal business settings. The analysis indicates that while "deputy" is broadly appropriate, clarity in specifying the role (e.g., "deputy director" instead of just "deputy") enhances understanding. Common synonyms include "assistant", "representative", and "delegate", each carrying slightly different connotations related to the scope and nature of the delegated authority. In summary, "deputy" is a reliable term for denoting a substitute or representative, with Ludwig AI confirming its correctness and widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

representative

This term suggests someone who acts on behalf of another, often in a formal capacity.

delegate

This implies someone who is chosen to act for or represent others, often at a meeting or conference.

assistant

This term generally refers to someone who aids or supports another person, often in a subordinate role.

lieutenant

This term often denotes a subordinate officer, especially in military or law enforcement contexts.

second in command

This phrase refers to the person who is next in authority to the leader and takes over when the leader is absent.

vice

This prefix indicates someone who is second in rank or authority, such as a vice president.

surrogate

This indicates someone who acts in place of another, often temporarily.

proxy

This term refers to someone authorized to act on behalf of another, especially in voting or decision-making.

aide

This suggests someone who provides assistance or support, often in an advisory role.

understudy

This term refers to someone who learns a role or position in order to be able to act as a replacement if needed.

FAQs

How is "deputy" used in a sentence?

The word "deputy" is used to describe someone who acts as a substitute or assistant for another person, typically in a position of authority. For example: "The "deputy chief" will handle the meeting in the director's absence."

What are some synonyms for "deputy"?

Alternatives to "deputy" include "assistant", "representative", "delegate", or "second in command" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "deputy" and "assistant"?

"Deputy" generally implies someone who can act in place of a superior, while "assistant" typically refers to someone who provides support but does not necessarily have the authority to substitute for their superior. The "deputy mayor" can perform the mayor's duties; an assistant cannot.

Is it correct to say "deputy of" someone?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and concise to say "deputy [title]", such as "deputy director" rather than "deputy of the director". Using "deputy director" is more standard.