by election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by election" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a process of selecting someone for a position or office through a voting process. Example: "The committee members were chosen by election, ensuring that everyone had a say in the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The other is by election.

The New York Times

By election day, however, his lead had all but vanished.

The Economist

ONE can hardly say Belarus is gripped by election fever.

The Economist

Politically, 1994 in Ukraine was dominated by election campaigns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By Election Day, the total will doubtless be much larger.

The New York Times

By election day they were at $500 billion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Wythenshawe and Sale East by- election is dull.

BBC

A by-election was ordered and Bradlaugh was elected again.

BBC

1983 Elected Liberal MP in the Bermondsey by-election, right.

Independent

A by-election was declared.

Independent

It is only a by-election.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on a "by election", specify the reason it is being held (e.g., resignation, death, or a change in political affiliation of the previous office holder).

Common error

Avoid using "by election" interchangeably with general elections. "By elections" are specifically to fill vacancies, not for regularly scheduled electoral events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by election" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific type of election. It is commonly used in news and media to report on political events, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by election" is a common and grammatically correct term used primarily in news and media to refer to a special election held to fill a political vacancy. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in reputable sources such as BBC, The Guardian and The New York Times. When using the phrase, it's crucial to distinguish it from general elections and specify the reason for the "by election". Alternative phrases like "special election" can be used depending on the context. The usage analysis indicates that "by election" has a neutral register and is suitable for journalistic and informative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

special election

Refers to a specific type of election held to fill a vacancy.

midterm election

Implies an election held in the middle of a term of office.

snap election

Suggests an election called earlier than expected.

constituency election

Emphasizes the election within a specific electoral district.

parliamentary election

Specifies an election for members of parliament.

local election

Refers to an election at the municipal or county level.

vote to fill a vacancy

Describes the purpose of the election rather than the type.

congressional election

Specifically refers to an election for the US Congress.

election to replace a representative

Focuses on the action of replacing a public official through election.

gubernatorial election

Designates an election for the position of governor.

FAQs

How to use "by election" in a sentence?

You can use "by election" to describe a special election held to fill a vacancy, for example: "The seat became vacant, necessitating a "by election".

What's the difference between "by election" and a general election?

A "by election" is held to fill an unexpected vacancy in a political office, while a general election is a regularly scheduled election for multiple offices.

What can I say instead of "by election"?

Depending on the context, you could use "special election" or "snap election".

Which is correct, "by election" or "bye election"?

"By election" is the correct spelling. "Bye election" is a misspelling and should be avoided.