a marathon election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marathon election" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an election process that is prolonged, intense, or requires significant endurance from candidates and voters alike. Example: "The campaign for the presidency turned into a marathon election, lasting over a year and exhausting both candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It constitutes a marathon election.

The Economist

He looked poised to form another majority government at the beginning of the year, only to screw it all up during a marathon election campaign that saw some of the ugliest forms of identity politics slither out of this Stephen Harper's eyes, drenching the general population in a sort of sludge.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the world stared in fascination, disbelief and not a little disgust at America's marathon election drama, his bullet-shaped head became a staple on television as he was approached by stations from upstate New York to the British Broadcasting Corporation.

The New York Times

Election Commission officials in India have said that voter turnout in the country's marathon election was a record 66.38%.

BBC

"I've got a lovely view of the parking lot," said Ari Fleischer, the transition spokesman, as he gazed out his window on his first day here, wistful perhaps that he was not looking out at a Washington landmark that would signify that this marathon election was officially Mr. Bush's to claim.

The New York Times

The final 72 hours of this marathon election will be about credibility and not just two rival visions of fear.

The Guardian

Shorten has been campaigning with the education minister, Kate Ellis, and his candidates in north Queensland for the first three days of the marathon election campaign.

The Guardian

Both sides of politics have been working overtime to rise cash to fund campaigning activities and advertising blitzes over this marathon election season.

The Guardian

"These people [the Gandhis] have destroyed three generations in Amethi," Modi, 63, the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), said as India's marathon election heads into its final stretch.

The Guardian

Polls have closed on the final day of voting in India's marathon election, with the first exit polls predicting early gains for the opposition BJP.

BBC

Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten delivered their final pitches to voters on the last day of a marathon eight-week election campaign as a poll pointed to a late swing back to the Coalition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a marathon election" when you want to emphasize the prolonged and exhausting nature of an election process, suggesting it requires significant endurance from candidates, parties, and voters.

Common error

Avoid using "a marathon election" excessively. While descriptive, overuse can diminish its impact. Consider using more direct language, such as "lengthy election" or "extended election campaign", for variety and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marathon election" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to describe a particular type of election. The Ludwig AI examples highlight its use in news and media to characterize elections that are long, drawn-out, and require significant endurance. It's often used metaphorically, comparing the election process to a marathon race.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marathon election" is a phrase used to describe an election characterized by its prolonged duration and demanding nature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, particularly in news and media contexts. While effective for emphasizing the endurance required, overuse should be avoided in favor of more direct alternatives like "prolonged election" or "extended election campaign". The phrase functions as a noun phrase, serving to describe and highlight the intensity and length of the electoral process, and while it may be less suited for strictly formal writing, its use in journalistic and general contexts is appropriate. To sum up, use the term when you aim to convey the idea of a test of endurance during an election.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prolonged election

Emphasizes the extended duration of the election process.

an extended election

Similar to 'prolonged', highlights the length of the election.

a lengthy election campaign

Focuses on the duration of the campaign leading up to the election.

a drawn-out election process

Highlights the slow and potentially tedious nature of the election.

a protracted electoral contest

More formal, emphasizing the drawn-out competitive nature of the election.

an arduous election

Focuses on the difficulty and strenuous effort involved.

a gruelling election campaign

Highlights the exhausting and demanding nature of the campaign.

a taxing election season

Emphasizes the burdensome and demanding aspect of the election period.

a wearisome election

Focuses on the tiring and monotonous aspect of the election.

an endurance election

Highlights the need for stamina and resilience throughout the election.

FAQs

What does "a marathon election" mean?

The phrase "a marathon election" is used to describe an election that is unusually long, demanding, and requires significant endurance from candidates and voters alike. It implies a process that is not a quick sprint but a test of stamina.

What can I say instead of "a marathon election"?

You can use alternatives like "a prolonged election", "an extended election", or "a lengthy election campaign" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "a marathon election" in formal writing?

While "a marathon election" is understandable, it's a somewhat figurative expression. In very formal writing, consider using more direct and neutral terms like "protracted electoral contest" for greater precision.

What are some common characteristics of "a marathon election"?

Common characteristics include a long campaign period, multiple rounds of voting, intense media coverage, and high levels of public engagement or fatigue. The phrase suggests an election that dominates the political landscape for an extended time.