performing clerical duties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "performing clerical duties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing tasks related to administrative or office work, typically involving routine tasks such as filing, data entry, or managing correspondence. Example: "In her role as an administrative assistant, she is responsible for performing clerical duties to ensure the office runs smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat, plans to prioritize education and training for able-bodied welfare recipients instead of automatically assigning them to workfare positions — cleaning parks and subway platforms and performing clerical duties — that have been described as dead ends by advocates for impoverished families.

The New York Times

She was on active duty from September 1918 to March 1919 at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Virginia, performing clerical duties and receiving an outstanding grade in reading proficiency and perfect marks in obedience and sobriety, the three areas in which the Navy graded women.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And they report that when negotiations between the Met and the club got heated at the end of the season last spring, the club's on-site staff members were denied access to the building to perform clerical duties.

The New York Times - Arts

Glendale Memorial Hospital is looking for volunteers to work as sales clerks at the gift shop and help in the administration office and perform clerical duties.

Los Angeles Times

Within 48 hours of details being published about their service, Chartres launched an investigation into the occasion, the rector who "married" them faced calls for his resignation, and Lord returned his licence, preventing him from performing any clerical duties.

The Guardian

By 1850, his doctor had ordered him to completely stop travelling and performing his clerical duties, but Jones ignored his advice.

Wikipedia

Some aides, you say, "perform clerical work or actually sit idle".

The New York Times

While some aides have become beloved and valuable assistants to the teachers, others perform clerical work or actually sit idle.

The New York Times

These lesser functionaries performed clerical and technical tasks for government agencies.

Wikipedia

Pharmacy assistants mainly perform clerical tasks.

WikiHow

But that's when Dunlap took a job with a company that made Navy equipment, where she worked for several years performing secretarial and clerical duties.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "performing clerical duties" in contexts where the nature of the administrative work is routine or basic; for more complex tasks, opt for descriptions like 'managing data' or 'coordinating projects'.

Common error

Avoid using "performing clerical duties" as the sole descriptor for a job role. This phrase is vague; instead, detail specific tasks like 'filing documents', 'managing correspondence', or 'handling data entry' to give a clearer picture of the work involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "performing clerical duties" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often describing a set of tasks related to administrative support, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

26%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "performing clerical duties" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes routine administrative tasks. While Ludwig AI identifies it as correct, it's important to note that the phrase is somewhat general. For clarity in job descriptions or task assignments, it's better to specify the exact tasks involved, such as "filing documents" or "managing correspondence". The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When used, consider more specific alternatives to provide a clearer understanding of the duties being performed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

handling office tasks

Focuses on the execution of general office related assignments.

executing administrative tasks

Highlights the completion of formal administrative work.

undertaking secretarial duties

Emphasizes the role of a secretary in fulfilling their job responsibilities.

managing paperwork

Specifically refers to dealing with documents and records.

carrying out administrative functions

Focuses on the performance of specific administrative activities.

fulfilling routine office responsibilities

Stresses the regular and expected tasks in an office environment.

completing office assignments

Highlights the finishing of given tasks within an office setting.

providing clerical support

Indicates offering assistance with clerical work.

attending to administrative details

Focuses on carefully managing minor administrative aspects.

processing documents

Specifically involves the management and handling of official papers.

FAQs

What does "performing clerical duties" mean?

Performing clerical duties refers to carrying out routine tasks in an office setting, such as filing, data entry, answering phones, and managing correspondence.

What are some alternatives to "performing clerical duties"?

You can use alternatives like "handling office tasks", "executing administrative tasks", or "providing clerical support" depending on the context.

How can I describe specific examples of "performing clerical duties"?

Instead of just saying "performing clerical duties", be more specific. For example, say "filing documents", "managing correspondence", "data entry", or "answering phones".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "performing clerical duties"?

It's appropriate when describing a job or role that involves routine administrative tasks. However, be as specific as possible to avoid vagueness and clearly define the actual tasks performed.