staff

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'staff' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to a group of people who work for an organization, for example: "The staff at the store were very helpful in helping me find what I needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Customers and staff reacted in different ways to the protest inside the store," he said.

The Guardian

"We closed the park immediately whilst preliminary investigations took place and to give our staff time to come to terms with the accident and its aftermath.

The Guardian

We would also like to thank the staff at the hospital who have been very accommodating, have been lovely to us and have protected our privacy".

The Guardian - Travel

The ambulance staff have warned the protesters that their legs have got very cold which makes the blood supply pool in their feet, this could lead them to faint and fall off the ledge.

The Guardian

Another former staff member said: "The block system should have been clear before another craft is able to enter that section of the ride.

The Guardian

The alleged warning from Obeid would have came before – as Icac was previously told – a member of the former NSW energy minister Chris Hartcher's staff made an anonymous complaint levelling false allegations of corruption against Schott.

The Guardian

The repeated refusal of GPs, social housing officers and social security staff to act as immigration officers also means that if more robust residence tests are to be introduced for other EU nationals then an easy and authoritative way is needed of checking how long they have been in the country and what their immigration status is.

The Guardian

Really a computer runs the ride and a member of staff just presses a button to release the cars from the station.

The Guardian

"But, as horrible as it is to say, a member of staff should probably not have released the car from the station when an empty one hadn't made it back".

The Guardian

I've got a great staff who work very hard but we need to make changes and that was evident in the game.

The Guardian - Sport

It has been created by Thorntons to mark the company's 100th birthday and, after months of top-secret cooking, the 5,792.5kg (12,770lb) treat was unveiled to staff and visitors at the confectioner's headquarters in Alfreton, Derbyshire, on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "staff" as a collective noun; avoid using it to refer to a single individual.

Common error

Ensure verb agreement when using "staff". It's a collective noun, so in British English, it can take a plural verb if emphasizing individual actions, but in American English, it usually takes a singular verb.

Linguistic Context

The word "staff" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a group of people employed by an organization. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "staff" is used in this context, referring to employees in various settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "staff" is a versatile and commonly used term to refer to the employees of an organization. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and applicable in a wide range of contexts, from news reports to business communications. While often used neutrally, it's crucial to consider verb agreement and context for precise communication. Alternatives like "personnel", "employees" or "workforce" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying the "staff's" department if necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personnel

Synonym focusing on the individuals working in an organization.

employees

Alternative term referring to people employed by a company.

workforce

Emphasizes the collective group of workers.

team

Highlights the collaborative aspect of the group.

faculty

Specifically refers to teaching staff in an educational institution.

crew

Often used in contexts like aviation or maritime to refer to the working team.

personnel resources

Highlights the 'staff' as a resource to be managed within the company.

human resources

Focuses on the department or function managing employees.

the people

A broad reference to the individuals comprising the organization.

the company members

Highlights belonging and unity within the company.

FAQs

How do I use "staff" in a sentence?

You can use "staff" to refer to a group of employees working for an organization, for example: "The "staff" at the hospital are dedicated." Or, "We need more "staff" to handle the workload."

What's the difference between "staff" and "personnel"?

"Staff" is a general term for employees. "Personnel" is a more formal term, often used in HR or administrative contexts to refer to the people employed by a company or organization.

Is "staffs" ever a correct plural form of "staff"?

While "staff" is usually treated as a collective noun, "staffs" can be used as the plural when referring to multiple distinct staffs, such as "the staffs of different departments".

What can I say instead of "staff"?

Alternatives include "employees", "workforce", "personnel", or "team", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.