public servants

USAGE SUMMARY

'public servants' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to people who work in the public sector such as government employees, police officers, firefighters, etc. Example sentence: Public servants dedicate their lives to keeping us safe and contributing to the betterment of society.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Public servants?

The Guardian - Opinion

Citizens and public servants alike.

The Economist

Public servants are poorly paid.

The Economist

Public servants deserve better.

The Guardian

"He tarnished the reputation of public servants".

The New York Times

Public servants are in it for themselves.

The New York Times

Fine public servants enter government every year.

The New York Times

Public servants are inherently untrustworthy.

The Guardian

The justices are public servants.

The New York Times

Public servants are accorded power.

The Guardian

They are public servants, too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "public servants", consider the specific context to determine if a more precise term like "government employee" or "civil servant" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "public servants" when referring to elected officials. While elected officials serve the public, the term "public servants" typically refers to appointed or employed individuals in government roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "public servants" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a group of individuals employed by the government or in the public sector, as demonstrated by Ludwig in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "public servants" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to individuals employed by the government or in the public sector. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific publications. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider whether a more specific term, like "government employee" or "civil servant", would be more appropriate depending on the context. When using "public servants", avoid overgeneralization and ensure you're not referring to elected officials, as the term typically denotes appointed or employed individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

government employees

Replaces "servants" with "employees", a more general term for workers.

civil service workers

Specifies that the individuals are part of the civil service system.

state employees

Focuses on employees working for the state government.

federal employees

Focuses on employees working for the federal government.

public sector workers

Broadens the scope to include all workers in the public sector, not just government.

government officials

Emphasizes the official capacity of the employees.

people in public service

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the act of serving the public.

those who serve the public

Highlights the service aspect of their roles.

officials in the public sector

A more formal way of referring to people working in the public sector.

agents of the state

Highlights the individuals' role as representatives of the government or state.

FAQs

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

"Public servants" are often recognized for their dedication and commitment to serving the community. You might say, "The mayor thanked the "public servants" for their tireless work during the crisis".

What is a good alternative to "public servants"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "public servants" include "government employees", "civil service workers", or "public sector workers".

Is it correct to refer to elected officials as "public servants"?

While elected officials technically serve the public, the term "public servants" generally refers to individuals employed or appointed in government roles rather than elected positions. It's more accurate to refer to elected officials as "elected representatives".

What qualities are typically associated with "public servants"?

"Public servants" are generally expected to be ethical, diligent, and committed to serving the needs of the public. They are often seen as dedicated individuals who work for the betterment of society.