term of office

USAGE SUMMARY

"term of office" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to the length of time someone is appointed or elected to a certain position. For example: "The mayor's term of office is four years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In his final term of office, Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Section 3. Term of Office.

Stanford University

He has no set term of office.

The New York Times

The term of office wasn't specified either.

Yale University

The term of office is four years.

Cornell University

Section 2. Election and term of office.

Cornell University

Sánchez Hernández's term of office ended in 1972.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Wen's five-year term of office ends next year.

The Economist

That could be balanced by a shorter term of office.

The Economist

"The term of office was then one year," he said.

The New York Times

His term of office runs until March 2015.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing political figures or roles, use "term of office" to clearly specify the period they are in power. For instance, "The president's "term of office" is four years."

Common error

Avoid using "term of office" interchangeably with "tenure" when you specifically want to emphasize the legally defined duration of a political or official role. While 'tenure' can refer to the general time someone holds a position, "term of office" has a more precise, often legally determined, timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "term of office" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to specify the duration or length of time an individual holds a particular office or position. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

28%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "term of office" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the duration for which someone holds a particular position, typically in government or organizational leadership. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it's most commonly found in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources. While generally neutral to formal, it's crucial to use this phrase precisely, distinguishing it from similar terms like "tenure". For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "period in office" or "length of tenure". Understanding the proper context and usage of "term of office" ensures clear and accurate communication regarding the duration of official roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

period in office

This alternative focuses on the span of time someone occupies a specific role.

time in position

This phrase highlights the duration of holding a particular post or duty.

duration of incumbency

This version emphasizes the period during which someone holds an official position.

length of tenure

This option refers to the duration for which someone holds a job or position.

mandate period

This phrase specifically describes the time frame for which an elected official has authority.

time as leader

This highlights the duration for which someone is in a leadership role.

service period

This refers to the length of time someone is serving in a particular position.

time on duty

This focuses on the time someone is actively performing their official duties.

governing period

This emphasizes the duration during which someone is in a governing role.

span of administration

This phrase describes the duration for which an administration is in power.

FAQs

How is "term of office" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "term of office" is used to describe the duration of time a person holds a specific position, especially in government or organizational leadership. For example: "The president's "term of office" is four years."

What phrases are similar to "term of office"?

Similar phrases include "period in office", "length of tenure", and "time in position". These all refer to the duration someone holds a specific role.

Is it correct to say "terms of office" instead of "term of office"?

Yes, "terms of office" is correct when referring to multiple periods served or the rules regarding how many terms someone can serve. "Term of office" refers to a single period.

What's the difference between "term of office" and "tenure"?

"Term of office" usually refers to a fixed or specified period, often legally defined, while "tenure" ("length of tenure") can refer more broadly to the time someone holds a position, without necessarily implying a fixed duration.