an election for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an election for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific election that is being held to select candidates for a particular position or to decide on a specific issue. Example: "The city is preparing for an election for the new mayor next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's not an election for 11 months".

The New York Times

"It's not an election for pope," Mr. Hu said.

The New York Times

He lost an election for a state premiership on Sunday.

The New York Times

has been convicted for a violation under Federal law relating to an election for Federal office.

Cornell University

has been indicted for a violation under Federal law relating to an election for Federal office.

Cornell University

But you can lose an election for being "weak" on defence.

The Economist

He reiterated his opposition to elections.Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd, called an election for September 7th.

The Economist

Thwarted in the spring, Mr Eves had begun to plan an election for early October.

The Economist

The acting president, Konstantin Päts, was expected to prepare an election for president.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Çiller failed to form a new coalition and called an election for December 1995.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By international standards this is unprecedented in an election for high office.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an election for", ensure the noun following "for" clearly specifies the position, office, or purpose of the election. For example, "an election for mayor" or "an election for school board members".

Common error

Avoid using "an election for" without clearly stating what the election is for. Saying just "an election" is too vague and lacks necessary context. Always specify the role or issue being decided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an election for" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing the purpose or object of the election. Ludwig indicates that it is used to specify what position, office, or issue is being decided upon in the election.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

16%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an election for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase used to specify the purpose or object of an election. As indicated by Ludwig, it is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, with a neutral register. To ensure clarity, always follow "for" with a specific designation of the position or issue being contested. It is very frequent in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Academia. The word combination has an Expert Rating of 4.5/5.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vote for

Replaces "election" with "vote", emphasizing the act of voting rather than the overall process.

balloting for

Emphasizes the process of casting ballots, a more formal term.

a poll for

Uses "poll" instead of "election", referring to a survey of opinions or the voting process.

a contest for

Replaces "election" with "contest", highlighting the competitive aspect.

campaigning for

Focuses on the activities leading up to the election, rather than the election itself.

a race for

Highlights the competitive aspect of an election, often used informally.

seeking election to

Shifts the focus to the act of trying to get elected.

running for

An informal way of saying someone is a candidate in an election.

a plebiscite for

Uses "plebiscite", implying a direct vote by the electorate on a specific issue.

an electoral battle for

Highlights the combative and strategic nature of the election.

FAQs

How do I properly use "an election for" in a sentence?

Use "an election for" followed by the specific position or office being contested. For example, "The city will hold "an election for" city council members next month".

What are some alternatives to "an election for"?

You can use alternatives like "a vote for", "balloting for", or "a contest for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an election of" instead of "an election for"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "for". "An election of" is grammatically incorrect in this context. Always use ""an election for"" followed by the office or position.

What's the difference between "an election for" and "a referendum on"?

"An election for" is used to choose a person for a particular office or position. "A referendum on" is used to decide a specific issue or policy question through a direct vote.