secretaries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secretaries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who perform administrative duties or assist in managing office tasks. Example: "The company employs several secretaries to handle correspondence and scheduling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Intent on offering his condolences and meeting Abdullah's successor in person, Obama led an exceptionally high-powered delegation to Riyadh that included former secretaries of state, past presidential candidates and senior military commanders.

The Guardian

Today at lunch retired US ambassador Frances Cook, who we knew in 1972 when she served in the consulate in Sydney, apologised for slight bruises under her eyes: she and everyone in politics, she explains, have plastic surgery – navy secretaries, congressmen, senators take cosmetic-surgery holidays in Thailand or South Africa.

The Guardian

The county has followed its transport policy for half a decade, despite pressure from successive Environment secretaries to change or abandon it.

The Guardian

Four years ago, 200 new MPs arrived at Westminster with at least parliamentary secretaries' batons in their knapsacks.

The Guardian

Carr said 15 foreign secretaries of the United States had written memoirs and each had made judgments about what material to use.

The Guardian

There are few secretaries of state who have triggered such strong reactions.

The Guardian

We elected these holders of high office – the home and foreign secretaries who ostensibly control MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, the MPs who cluelessly voted through laws such as Ripa (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act), Drip (Data Retention and Investigatory Powers) and will do likewise for whatever loose statutes will be proposed after the next terrorist/paedophilia/cyber crime panic arrives.

The Guardian - Tech

Courtesy of technology, we are all authors today as well as audiences – not to mention our own part-time publicists, social secretaries, agents and ambassadors.

The Guardian - Opinion

So when, in the wake of this year's general election, Nicola Sturgeon promised to "stand up for Scotland", she was merely pursuing much the same strategy as her predecessors: first ministers, secretaries of state for Scotland, lord advocates – unionists, devolutionists and nationalists, stretching back more than 300 years.

The Guardian

After all, we don't require our education ministers to have worked in schools or our energy secretaries to have run power stations.

The Guardian

"In the same case the deputy chair of the IPCC was summoned one early evening to see one of the three permanent secretaries of the Home Office to discuss the merits or otherwise of its decision to disclose crucial information the next day to the family of the deceased at a time when the media was awash with speculation and erroneous accounts of how Jean Charles de Menezes had died.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "secretaries", be specific about their roles (e.g., "legal secretaries", "executive secretaries") to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "secretaries" as a catch-all term for all office support staff. Use more specific titles like "administrative assistant" or "receptionist" when appropriate to accurately reflect the individual's responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "secretaries" is as a plural noun. It refers to multiple individuals who perform administrative, clerical, or organizational tasks. Ludwig AI confirms that this term is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "secretaries" functions as a plural noun that commonly refers to individuals providing administrative or clerical support. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While generally neutral in register, its usage varies across contexts, appearing frequently in "News & Media" and "Formal & Business" settings. When using "secretaries", it's important to consider context and opt for more specific titles like "administrative assistants" or "executive assistants" where appropriate. Understanding its grammatical role and contextual nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

administrative assistants

Focuses more on the administrative duties performed.

executive assistants

Highlights the support provided to high-level executives.

office managers

Emphasizes the responsibility for managing the office environment.

personal assistants

Indicates a more personalized support role.

clerks

A more general term for office workers.

receptionists

Focuses on greeting visitors and managing front desk duties.

administrators

A broader term for those who manage and organize.

office staff

Refers to all employees working in an office setting.

support staff

Highlights the supportive role within an organization.

company scribes

A more archaic and less common term, suggesting a focus on written records.

FAQs

How can I use "secretaries" in a sentence?

The term "secretaries" refers to individuals who provide administrative support. For instance, "The company employs several secretaries to manage correspondence and scheduling."

What's a more modern alternative to "secretaries"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "administrative assistants", "executive assistants", or "office managers".

Is it appropriate to use "secretaries" in formal writing?

Yes, "secretaries" is appropriate, especially when referring to the official title or role. However, consider using more descriptive terms like "administrative personnel" for broader references.

What is the difference between "secretaries" and "clerks"?

"Secretaries" typically handle more administrative and confidential tasks, while "clerks" often focus on more routine clerical duties such as filing and data entry.