officer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "officer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person holding a position of authority or responsibility, often in a military, police, or organizational context. Example: "The officer in charge of the investigation provided an update on the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first academic casualty of the Boston College-Jean McConville furore has been a parallel project which was to involve a London-based historian and an ex-RUC officer as well as retired members of the Garda Siochana in the Irish Republic, all with long records in fighting terrorism.

The Guardian

The uniform worn by his commanding officer, General Sir Richard Nelson "Windy" Gale, is now displayed in a museum that Prince Charles opened in 2000 and the old Pegasus Bridge, replaced by a new bridge in 1994 and left to rot in a field, has been cleaned up and preserved.

The Guardian

For Kirsty Sword Gusmao, being appointed an officer of the Order of Australia is not just a recognition of her life's work, but of another country.

The Guardian

A security forces officer from Russia's Chechnya region and four other men have been charged in connection with shooting Nemtsov on the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge near the Kremlin on 27 February, but investigators have failed to get those behind what is widely believed to be a contract killing.

The Guardian

Glaudiston Lessa, a police officer, told O Globo that the gang had carried out an abortion on a girl as young as 13.

The Guardian

"People are increasingly asking 'is my money having an impact?"says David Kane, senior research officer at NCVO. "I think [charities are] being challenged, more so than in the past, to make sure people are comfortable with how their donations are spent".

The Guardian

Among the police officers hurt was a woman injured on the hand and another female officer hurt as loyalists smashed up cars belonging to councillors, including that of a Democratic Unionist, and attacked security staff.

The Guardian

Jobs before politics: Probation officer and lecturer in social policy.

The Guardian

Steve Brickell, the police coroner's officer, said: "On behalf of the coroner we are investigating this woman's death and I am keen to speak to witnesses to the incident and more importantly the cyclist involved.

The Guardian

"The way the debate is being conducted is so bland and repetitive with three men in grey suits throwing insults at each other, it is turning people off," said Conor McGurran, campaigns and citizenship officer at the student union.

The Guardian

Twitter's chief financial officer Anthony Noto has been leading the talks since the beginning of the year, though they are currently stalled, reports Kara Swisher at the technology website Recode.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about individuals in positions of authority, consider the specific context to determine if "officer" is the most appropriate term. If the context is military or law enforcement, "officer" is usually suitable. However, in a business or organizational setting, terms like "manager", "executive", or "director" might be more accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "officer" too broadly. While it can refer to anyone holding a position of authority, it's often associated with military, police, or government organizations. Using a more specific term like "manager" or "executive" can provide greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The noun "officer" functions primarily as a noun, designating an individual who holds a position of authority or responsibility within an organization, particularly in military, police, or governmental structures. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "officer" is a commonly used noun denoting someone in a position of authority, particularly in military, police, or governmental contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in various sources, predominantly in news and formal business settings. While generally neutral in tone, its specific application depends heavily on context, with related terms like "official", "executive", and "manager" offering more nuanced alternatives. While it's important to recognize it's primarily used in hierarchical environments, alternatives can offer greater specificity in other contexts. You can find many practical examples to get a better understanding of how to use it in professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official

Broader term that can refer to anyone holding a position or office, not necessarily hierarchical.

authority figure

Emphasizes the power and control associated with the position.

commander

Specifically refers to someone in charge of a military unit.

law enforcement agent

Specifically refers to officers involved in enforcing laws.

chief

Highlights the highest-ranking position in an organization or department.

military personnel

Refers to individuals serving in the armed forces, possibly holding officer ranks.

executive

Highlights the administrative and leadership aspect of the role.

manager

Focuses on the responsibility of overseeing and directing a team or department.

director

Emphasizes the role of guiding and supervising organizational activities.

supervisor

Highlights the responsibility of overseeing employees and tasks.

FAQs

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

The term "officer" is commonly used to refer to individuals holding a position of authority, especially in military, police, or government contexts. For example, "The police "officer" arrived at the scene" or "The company's chief financial "officer" announced the quarterly results".

What are some alternative terms to "officer" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "official", "executive", "manager", or "director". For law enforcement contexts, "agent" or "deputy" might also be appropriate.

What is the difference between an "officer" and an "official"?

While both terms refer to individuals holding a position, "officer" often implies a hierarchical structure, especially in military or law enforcement. "Official" is a broader term that can refer to anyone holding a public or organizational position.

Is it correct to use "officer" when referring to someone in a business management role?

While technically correct, using "executive" or "manager" is often more specific and appropriate in a business context. "Officer" in business often refers to specific high-level positions like chief executive "officer" (CEO) or chief financial "officer" (CFO).