representatives

USAGE SUMMARY

"representatives" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word to refer to people who are chosen to act on behalf of a larger group. For example, "The president sent representatives to the United Nations meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

(Both Ms. Harris and representatives from the brand declined to specify the networks).

The New York Times

Nigeria's neighbours, Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, were expected to attend, along with US, UK and EU representatives.

The Guardian

The public health community has an important role to play in demonstrating the magnitude of tobacco's threat to public health and calling on governments to strip away the trademark protections, rights to sue and opportunities to lobby that big tobacco uses to bully public representatives.

The Guardian

It all stems from a decision made almost half a century ago by the Some Like It Hot star's legal representatives in the wake of her 1962 death.

The Guardian - Film

Mirabella has locked media representatives out of her election night function in the electorate.

The Guardian

Congress won't have access to the TPP before it is signed, and the terms won't be publicly disclosed – ironic since the negotiations include 600 corporate advisers, including representatives of Halliburton and Caterpillar.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Republicans were in the grip of an intense power battle on Wednesday as rival factions in in the House of Representatives, which the party controls, jockeyed to replace the outgoing majority leader Eric Cantor.

The Guardian

Any push by the Vatican on climate change could prove politically challenging for conservative Catholic lawmakers in the US who have denied the veracity of climate change science and fought against regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions, including the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner.

The Guardian

He also lampoons Geert Wilders for taking a sudden hard line against austerity -- telling the House of Representatives that the far-right leader will end up as an honorary social democrat* * - he should be so lucky 2.10pm: More from Geert Wilders -- he tells the Dutch parliament to drop the aim of a 3% budget deficit in 2013.

The Guardian - Business

While recapturing the House of Representatives remains a distant dream, the vulnerability of Senate Democrats standing in Republican-leaning states this November means there is plenty of pressure on Obama to tone down his rhetoric: he will likely eschew anything that smacks of class warfare in favour of emphasising greater opportunity.

The Guardian

Palmer formed the PUP before the 2013 federal election, at which he won a seat in the House of Representatives.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about political entities, clearly specify the type of "representatives" you are referring to (e.g., elected officials, appointed delegates) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "representatives" when you mean "representation". "Representatives" refers to the individuals themselves, while "representation" refers to the act or process of representing.

Linguistic Context

The noun "representatives" primarily functions as a plural noun, denoting individuals chosen or appointed to act or speak for others. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "representatives" functions as a plural noun referring to individuals acting on behalf of others. Ludwig AI confirms it’s grammatically sound and predominantly appears in news and formal business contexts. To avoid confusion, distinguish it from "representation", which denotes the act of representing. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the type of "representatives" you are referencing. The word enjoys very common usage in English, signifying its importance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delegates

Focuses on individuals officially chosen to represent a group at a conference or meeting, highlighting a formal selection process.

agents

Emphasizes the role of acting on behalf of another, often in a business or legal context, suggesting a more active and directed representation.

spokespersons

Highlights the function of communicating on behalf of a group or organization, focusing on verbal representation.

ambassadors

Implies a diplomatic role, representing a country or organization in a foreign context, suggesting a broader and more formal representation.

advocates

Focuses on actively supporting or pleading a cause on behalf of others, emphasizing a persuasive and supportive role.

emissaries

Suggests a confidential or special mission, representing someone in a delicate or secretive negotiation.

proxies

Refers to someone authorized to act on behalf of another, especially in voting or decision-making, highlighting a formal delegation of authority.

surrogates

Implies standing in for someone else, often temporarily or in their absence, suggesting a substitute representation.

deputies

Suggests a role of assisting or acting under the authority of another, often in a governmental or organizational context.

commissioners

Focuses on individuals appointed to a commission or board, representing a specific area of expertise or interest.

FAQs

How to use "representatives" in a sentence?

Use "representatives" to refer to individuals who act on behalf of a group or organization. For example, "The company sent its representatives to the conference".

What can I say instead of "representatives"?

You can use alternatives like "delegates", "agents", or "spokespersons" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "representatives" or "representation"?

"Representatives" refers to the individuals, while "representation" refers to the act of representing. Ensure you use the correct term based on your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "representatives" and "officials"?

"Representatives" specifically act on behalf of others, while "officials" hold a position of authority, which may or may not involve representing others.