a constitutional amendment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a constitutional amendment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a formal change or addition to a constitution, typically in a legal or political context. Example: "The proposed legislation aims to introduce a constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to vote for all citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He decided to support a constitutional amendment.

The New Yorker

But a Constitutional amendment?

The New Yorker

Even this will require a constitutional amendment.

The Economist

The change requires a constitutional amendment.

The New York Times

But Mr Zardari wants a constitutional amendment.

The Economist

The platform speaks about a constitutional amendment.

The New York Times

Passing a constitutional amendment is no easy task.

The New York Times

He also favors a constitutional amendment to balance the budget.

The New York Times

The bill in question here is a constitutional amendment.

The New York Times

But direct popular vote would require a constitutional amendment.

The New York Times

He wants a constitutional amendment to prevent gay marriage.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing specific proposed amendments, clearly state the subject matter and its potential impact. For example, "a constitutional amendment regarding term limits" is more informative than just "a constitutional amendment".

Common error

Avoid assuming that proposing "a constitutional amendment" automatically leads to its adoption. The amendment process involves proposal and ratification, often requiring supermajorities in legislative bodies and/or state conventions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a constitutional amendment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of formal legal change, as shown in Ludwig's examples from news and media.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a constitutional amendment" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to refer to a formal change to a constitution. According to Ludwig, its usage is primarily found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key – specify the subject matter of the amendment for better understanding. Keep in mind the rigorous process involved in proposing and ratifying an amendment. Considering the reliable sources where it is often used, this term will be found in credible writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a change to the constitution

This is a more general way of referring to altering the constitution.

constitutional alteration

This alternative uses a different noun to refer to a change in the constitution.

constitutional modification

This alternative substitutes "amendment" with "modification", implying a change in form.

amending the constitution

This is a gerund phrase that describes the act of making a constitutional change.

revising the constitution

This is another gerund phrase that describes the action of making changes to the constitution.

constitutional reform

This alternative suggests a more significant or systemic change to the constitution.

constitutional adjustment

This alternative implies a minor change or correction to the constitution.

a constitutional provision change

This alternative focuses on changing a specific provision within the constitution.

an alteration to the basic law

This phrase uses more generic terms to refer to a fundamental legal change.

a modification of the fundamental law

This alternative replaces "alteration" with "modification" and "constitution" with "fundamental law".

FAQs

How is "a constitutional amendment" proposed?

In the United States, a constitutional amendment is typically proposed by a two-thirds vote of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or by a convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures.

What does it mean to ratify "a constitutional amendment"?

Ratification of "a constitutional amendment" means that it has been formally approved and adopted by the required number of states, usually three-fourths, making it part of the constitution.

What are some examples of well-known constitutional amendments?

Examples include the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech, the Second Amendment concerning the right to bear arms, and the Nineteenth Amendment granting women the right to vote.

What is the difference between "a constitutional amendment" and "a constitutional revision"?

While both involve changing a constitution, "a constitutional amendment" typically addresses specific issues or rights, whereas "a constitutional revision" may involve a broader restructuring or rewriting of the entire document.