secretariats

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secretariats" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to administrative offices or departments, often within organizations or governmental bodies. Example: "The various secretariats within the organization work collaboratively to ensure smooth operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The state government's 21 secretariats were merged into 15 (they have since crept back up to 19).

The Economist

Here's the Norwegian tongue-twister bit by bit:fylkes   traffik  sikkerhets  utvalgs      secretariats  leder   funksjonene Peoples traffic  security     committee  secretariat   leader functionsNearly all the words are recognisably cousins to their English equivalents.

The Economist

The state's 21 secretariats (in effect, ministries) were cut to 15. Partly by replacing automatic wage rises with bonus schemes, the wage bill has fallen to 61% of revenues and the deficit has shrunk to $100m.

The Economist

Their secretariats (like the one Lord Rennard used to run) are under-funded and thinly-staffed compared with their equivalents in other countries, and often run by armies of unpaid interns and keen volunteers.Hours can be long and erratic.

The Economist

Later institutional inquisitions were established in Portugal in 1540 (abolished in 1821) and in Rome (for the Papal States and some other parts of Italy) in 1542; the latter was erected into the Congregation of the Holy Roman and Universal Inquisition, or Holy Office, one of the 15 secretariats into which the administrative reforms of Sixtus V (1585 90) divided papal government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In addition there are various offices and three secretariats for Promoting Christian Unity, for Non-Christians, and for Non-Believers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Nicola Magrini of the Essential Medicines List secretariat at the WHO said the committee's decision was unanimous, after two reviews of the evidence on the drugs.

The Guardian

A group called the Northwest Santa Tecla Ecological Defence Committee has filed a complaint with the environmental secretariat at the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Act (DR-Cafta) alleging that the Villa Veranda development could threaten local water supplies, biodiversity and quality of life for communities nearby.

The Guardian

However, an email seen by the Guardian from the honours and appointments secretariat in the Cabinet Office notes that "the case has been referred to the appropriate nominating department for their assessment".

The Guardian

Neither exhibits such a high ratio of prominent negative attacks to prominent positive suggestions.Mr Miliband's kitchen cabinet a decent bunch intimate that such matters are out of their hands; the work of the party's secretariat in Brewer's Green.

The Economist

Strong resistance from the OECD's constituents and some secretariat officials repeatedly delayed its publication and diluted its content.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international organizations or governments, ensure you're using "secretariats" to refer to the administrative bodies or departments, as it specifies a particular type of office.

Common error

Avoid using "secretariats" interchangeably with similar terms like "ministries" or "agencies" without considering the specific organizational structure. "Secretariats" implies a particular administrative role.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "secretariats" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple administrative offices or departments. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Examples show it used to describe governmental and organizational administrative bodies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "secretariats" is the plural form of secretariat, referring to multiple administrative offices or departments, typically within governmental or international organizations. Ludwig AI confirms that its use is grammatically correct and suitable across various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media and encyclopedic sources. When using the term, ensure you are referring to administrative bodies and not simply groups of secretaries, and that you consider the specific organizational structure you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

administrative offices

Focuses on the function of administration rather than the specific organizational unit.

government ministries

Specifically refers to governmental administrative bodies.

executive departments

Highlights the executive function of the departments.

administrative headquarters

Emphasizes the central administrative role of the bodies.

bureaucratic divisions

Highlights the bureaucratic structure of the divisions.

official agencies

Refers to formally established agencies.

organizational departments

Focuses on the department within an organization.

management boards

Highlights the management role within the secretariats.

governing bodies

Refers to entities responsible for governing or overseeing.

policy-making divisions

Emphasizes the role of the divisions in creating policies.

FAQs

How to use "secretariats" in a sentence?

You can use "secretariats" to refer to administrative offices or departments, especially within international organizations or governmental bodies. For example, "The various secretariats within the organization work collaboratively to ensure smooth operations."

What's the difference between "secretariats" and "ministries"?

"Secretariats" typically refer to the administrative offices or departments within an organization, while "ministries" are usually governmental departments headed by a minister. They both serve administrative functions but exist in different organizational contexts.

What can I say instead of "secretariats"?

You can use alternatives like "administrative offices", "executive departments", or "government ministries" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "secretariats" to describe a group of secretaries?

While "secretariats" is the plural of "secretariat", it doesn't refer to a group of secretaries. To describe a group of secretaries, use "secretaries".