at election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at election" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a time when people choose their representatives in a democratic system. For example, "It is the responsibility of all citizens to participate in the democratic process by voting at election time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Except, of course, at election time.

The Economist

No one ever does at election time.

The New York Times

Miller's next chance at election is next year.

The New York Times - Sports

Strange things happen in Ohio at election time.

The New York Times

Then, at election time, in September, "something happened," he said.

The New Yorker

AS Italians say at election time, piazza pulita!

The New York Times - Arts

"They woo us at election time," Ms. Douglas said.

The New York Times

Berlusconi consistently trounces the left at election time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Under early voting people cast ballots at election officials' offices or satellite offices.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Benazir Bhutto assassinated at political rally at election campaign rally in Rawalpindi.

BBC

Relations have generally been excellent until this crude attempt at election-rigging.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at election", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific election you are referencing, especially if discussing multiple elections within the same text. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Do not use "at election" without specifying which election is being discussed if multiple elections are relevant. This can cause confusion and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at election" functions primarily as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the timing or context of an action or event. Ludwig AI highlights the phrase's prevalence in various real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at election" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate events or actions that occur during an election period. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, its specific connotation depends on the surrounding vocabulary and context. To maximize clarity, it is best practice to specify the election being referenced, especially when multiple elections could be relevant. Alternative phrases like "during the election" and "around election time" can offer subtle variations in meaning. By considering these nuances, writers can effectively and accurately use "at election" in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the election

Specifies the time frame more explicitly using "during" instead of "at".

in the electoral period

Replaces "election" with "electoral period" for a slightly more formal tone.

around election time

Uses "around" to indicate an approximate timeframe close to the election.

when elections are held

Expresses the timing using a relative clause focused on the action of holding elections.

in connection with the election

Indicates a relationship or association with the election event.

concerning the election

Uses "concerning" to denote the subject matter related to the election.

regarding the election

Similar to "concerning", but with a slightly different connotation.

during the voting process

Focuses on the voting activity that is happening during the election.

while voters cast ballots

Describes an activity happening at the same time as the election.

prior to the election

Indicates a period before the election takes place.

FAQs

How can I use "at election" in a sentence?

You can use "at election" to describe events or actions that occur during an election period. For example, "Voters deserve a real choice "at election time" and democracy requires an opposition to work."

What are some alternatives to saying "at election"?

Some alternatives include "during the election", "in the electoral period", or "around "election time"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "at election" or "during the election"?

Both "at election" and "during the election" are correct, but "during the election" might provide more clarity in some contexts, especially when emphasizing the time frame. "At election" tends to imply the specific point in "time during the election" while the other focuses on the period.

How does the meaning of "at election" differ from "after the election"?

"At election" refers to events or actions occurring concurrently with the election, while "after the election" denotes events that happen following the "conclusion of voting".