Meaning & use
multiple agencies
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
More than one organization, especially a government body or public service, involved in the same activity.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase; it takes a plural verb: multiple agencies are investigating.
Patterns
- multiple agencies are involved in something
- coordinate with multiple agencies
- work across multiple agencies
The rescue was handled by multiple agencies, including the coast guard and local police.
She has worked with multiple agencies during her career in public health.
Funding for the project comes from multiple agencies at the state and federal level.
phrasefixed phrasebusiness
Several businesses that arrange services for other people, such as employment or advertising firms.
Grammar: Also plural; the exact type of agency is usually clear from context.
Patterns
- register with multiple agencies
- hire through multiple agencies
Job seekers often sign up with multiple agencies to widen their search.
The company advertises through multiple agencies in different countries.
Common combinations
- multiple agencies involved
- With multiple agencies involved, the investigation took longer than expected.
- coordinate with multiple agencies
- The mayor had to coordinate with multiple agencies after the storm.
- multiple government agencies
- Multiple government agencies share responsibility for food safety.
- work across multiple agencies
- Her role requires her to work across multiple agencies.
- multiple agencies and departments
- The report was written by multiple agencies and departments.
Synonyms and how they differ
- several organizations
- Broader and more general; it can include charities and companies, not just official bodies.
- various bodies
- More formal and often used for official or public institutions.
Opposites
Word family
- agency noun
- One organization that provides a service or handles business for others.
- interagency adjective
- Involving or shared between different agencies, as in interagency cooperation.
Commonly confused: multiple agencies or agenda?
multiple agencies vs agenda
Agenda means a list of things to discuss or do; agencies are organizations. They sound similar but are not related.
Practice
The relief effort was run by ______, each responsible for a different region.
Choose one answer.
'Multiple agencies' is the correct plural phrase and matches the plural idea of several organizations. 'A multiple agency' is wrong because 'a' cannot go with a plural noun, and 'agencies multiple' reverses the normal English word order.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “multiple agencies”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.