clerk
clerk — noun
1. someone whose job involves keeping records, filing documents, and doing everyday
someone whose job involves keeping records, filing documents, and doing everyday paperwork in an office or for a company.
Leila spent the summer as a filing clerk at a law firm in Taipei.
collocation: filing clerk
The office clerk sorted the mail and updated the staff contact list each morning.
Aiko works as a payroll clerk, making sure everyone gets paid on time.
Priya asked the clerk to make three copies of the contract before the meeting.
When the accounting clerk noticed an error, she reported it to her supervisor.
- administrator
implies more senior or managerial duties beyond basic record-keeping
- office worker
a broader term that includes any job done in an office, not just record-keeping
文法句型
clerk + at/in [place]
clerk + for [person/department]
用法筆記
Often used in compound job titles such as filing clerk, payroll clerk, or accounting clerk to specify the type of office work.
常見錯誤
2. a worker in a store or shop who helps customers find items, answers questions ab
a worker in a store or shop who helps customers find items, answers questions about products, and handles purchases.
The store clerk helped Ravi find a birthday gift for his mother.
collocation: store clerk
Yusuf worked as a sales clerk at the electronics shop during summer break.
collocation: sales clerk
A clerk at the shoe store brought out three different sizes for Kofi to try.
Nadia asked the clerk whether the sofa was available in a darker colour.
The clerk at the bookstore recommended a novel that Tomás ended up loving.
- salesperson
more neutral and can be used for any gender or product type
- shop assistant
more common in British English than American English
文法句型
clerk + at/in [store]
store clerk
sales clerk
常見錯誤
3. an employee at a hotel who greets guests, handles check-ins and check-outs, and
an employee at a hotel who greets guests, handles check-ins and check-outs, and answers questions during their stay.
The hotel clerk gave Diego a room key and explained the breakfast hours.
collocation: hotel clerk
Hana called the front desk, and the clerk arranged a taxi for the airport.
When Leila arrived late at night, the clerk was still friendly and helpful.
The clerk at the hotel recommended a good local restaurant for dinner.
Rashida asked the hotel clerk whether the pool stayed open past nine.
- receptionist
used more broadly for any front-desk role; more common in British English
- front desk agent
a more formal job title used in the hotel industry
文法句型
hotel clerk
front desk clerk
clerk at [hotel]
用法筆記
Primarily used in American English. In British English, receptionist is the more common term for this role.
4. someone who has recently finished law school and works for a judge — researching
someone who has recently finished law school and works for a judge — researching legal questions, writing draft opinions, and getting cases ready for court.
After law school, Theo worked as a clerk for a federal judge in Chicago.
collocation: clerk for [judge]
The judge asked her clerk to research a similar case from last year.
Mei spent two years as a law clerk before joining a private firm.
The law clerk drafted a summary of the arguments for the judge to read before the hearing.
- legal assistant
broader term that can include paralegals and support staff without a law degree
- judicial clerk
more formal term used for a clerk working directly for a judge
文法句型
law clerk
clerk + for [judge]
用法筆記
This is a specific, competitive position for law graduates. Distinguished from the general office clerk sense (index 1) by its legal context and requirement of legal training.
常見錯誤
clerk — verb
1. to do the job of a clerk, handling records, serving customers, or assisting with
to do the job of a clerk, handling records, serving customers, or assisting with legal work in an office, store, hotel, or court.
Yara clerked at a law office while studying for the bar exam.
verb pattern: clerk at [place]
During college, Zane clerked in a real estate agency every summer.
Bao clerked at the county court for a year before becoming a lawyer.
Amara clerked at a department store to save money for university.
- work as a clerk
more conversational; the phrasal equivalent of the verb clerk
文法句型
clerk + at [place]
clerk + for [person/organization]
用法筆記
Used intransitively, almost always with a place or employer specified: clerk at, clerk for, clerk in. This verb is less common in everyday speech than the noun form.