public officials

USAGE SUMMARY

"public officials" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to people who are elected or appointed to serve in various public positions. For example, "The public officials held a meeting to discuss new regulations for the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Few trust their public officials.

The Economist

Public officials including Govs.

Columbia University

Public officials were asked to apply pressure.

The New York Times

Somalia has the most corrupt public officials.

The Economist

She called public officials.

The New York Times

Public officials mediated.

The New York Times

Many public officials support drilling.

The New York Times

In public, officials are insouciant.

The Guardian

* Assassinations of U.S. public officials.

The New York Times

Public officials have problems, too.

The New York Times

Crooked public officials are out.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "public officials", be specific about their roles and responsibilities to avoid ambiguity. Use precise titles or descriptions to provide clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "public officials" as a blanket term without specifying their actual positions or duties. Instead of saying "Public officials made a decision", specify "The city council members made a decision" to provide context and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "public officials" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a group of individuals holding positions of authority or responsibility in public service. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "public officials" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to individuals holding positions of authority in government or public service. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread and well-accepted. The phrase is primarily used in news and media, as well as in formal and business contexts. It is crucial to use specific titles or descriptions to provide clarity about the roles of these officials in writing, and it's often better to avoid overgeneralizations. As the examples from Ludwig demonstrate, the phrase is versatile and readily adaptable to various contexts concerning governance and civic responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public servants

Focuses on their role in serving the public interest.

government employees

Refers to individuals employed by the government, differing in scope from elected or appointed officials.

government leaders

Focuses on those in leadership positions within the government.

elected representatives

Specifically denotes officials chosen through elections, rather than appointed ones.

official representatives

Highlights their role as representatives of a larger body or constituency.

civil servants

Emphasizes those who work for government agencies, focusing on service to the public.

political appointees

Highlights that these roles are given, not won by votes, normally during an administration.

state authorities

Highlights the power and jurisdiction these officials have within a state.

city administrators

Refers specifically to officials managing city affairs.

political figures

Broader term encompassing individuals involved in politics, not necessarily in official roles.

FAQs

How can I use "public officials" in a sentence?

You can use "public officials" to refer to individuals holding positions in government or public service. For example, "The actions of the "public officials" were scrutinized by the media".

What are some alternatives to "public officials"?

Some alternatives include "government employees", "elected representatives", or "civil servants", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "public official" instead of "public officials"?

Yes, "public official" is correct when referring to a single individual, while "public officials" is used for multiple individuals. The choice depends on whether you are speaking about one person or a group.

What responsibilities do "public officials" typically have?

The responsibilities of "public officials" vary depending on their specific roles, but generally include upholding the law, representing the interests of the public, and managing public resources responsibly.