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Prepositions with nouns

Of, by, under, to or as secretary?

Secretary combines naturally with as, to, and under in different professional contexts.

Quick answer

As secretary is the most common fixed phrase

Use as secretary for a role, secretary to for an assistant relationship, and under a secretary for supervision. Of secretary is not a standard fixed combination.

She worked as secretary for the committee.
He served as secretary from 2022 to 2024.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
as secretary

Describing a role or position

Use as secretary when stating someone's function.

Maria acted as secretary during the meeting.
2
secretary to + person

Assistant relationship

Use secretary to for the person supported.

She is secretary to the director.
3
under the secretary

Reporting structure

Use under for supervision or authority.

The office operates under the secretary of finance.
4
by the secretary

Action performed by the secretary

By introduces the agent of an action.

The report was signed by the secretary.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
as secretary
He served as secretary for two years.
Holding the position.
secretary to
She is secretary to the ambassador.
Working directly for someone.
under secretary
An undersecretary is a specific government title.
A separate compound noun, not the preposition under + secretary.
by secretary
The memo was prepared by the secretary.
Shows who performed the action.
of secretary
Of secretary is not a standard fixed phrase.
Usually nonidiomatic alone.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using to secretary instead of secretary to

The noun usually comes first.

✕ She works to secretary the manager. ✓ She works as secretary to the manager.

Confusing undersecretary and under secretary

Undersecretary is often one word as a title.

✕ He became under secretary of state. ✓ He became undersecretary of state.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She served ___ secretary for the club.
2. He is secretary ___ the CEO.
3. The letter was typed ___ the secretary.

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Frequently asked questions

Is secretary to formal?

Yes. It is common in business and official contexts.

What is an undersecretary?

It is a government title below a secretary or minister.

Can secretary be a verb?

No. Secretary is normally only a noun.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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