by elections

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by elections" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to elections that are held to fill a vacancy or to select representatives in a specific context, such as local or parliamentary elections. Example: "The council decided to hold by elections to fill the vacant seat left by the resignation of the previous member."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We may be bored by elections.

Independent

LegCo would "be constituted by elections".

The Economist

Legitimacy is not built by elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such announcements will then need to be validated by elections.

The New York Times

"The nature of the regime will be decided by elections.

The New York Times

The decision to close the precincts was first recommended by elections consultant Mike Malone.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

By-elections are by-elections.

The Economist

Comeback attempts included several by-elections.

Independent

Most by-elections don't matter much.

Independent

"That's what happens in by-elections".

The New York Times

They have been winning council by-elections.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "by elections", provide context regarding the specific reason for the election (e.g., resignation, death, etc.) to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by elections" interchangeably with "general elections". "By elections" are held to fill specific vacancies, whereas general elections involve all seats.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by elections" functions primarily as a noun phrase, referring to specific elections held outside the typical election cycle. It denotes a particular type of election event, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by elections" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, particularly in the context of news and media, to describe elections held to fill vacancies. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is accurate and usable in written English. While "by elections" might be used in formal and business settings, it's less common in scientific or encyclopedic content. When using this phrase, it is beneficial to specify the cause of the vacancy and to avoid confusion with general elections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parliamentary by-elections

Specifies that the by-elections are for parliamentary seats.

legislative by-elections

Specifies that the by-elections are for legislative seats.

special elections

Replaces "by" with "special", focusing on the unique nature of the election.

replacement elections

Highlights the replacement aspect of the election after a vacancy.

interim elections

Highlights the temporary nature of the election, filling a seat until a general election.

supplementary elections

Emphasizes that the election is additional to the main elections.

snap elections

Emphasizes the unexpected or sudden nature of the election.

midterm elections

Refers to elections held in the middle of a term of office.

local council elections

Specifies the level of government at which the elections are held.

constituency elections

Focuses on the geographical area represented in the election.

FAQs

What are "by elections"?

"By elections" are elections held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections, typically due to resignation, death, or disqualification of the incumbent.

What can I say instead of "by elections"?

You can use alternatives like "special elections", "interim elections", or "supplementary elections", depending on the specific context.

Are "by elections" more or less important than general elections?

"By elections" are generally less impactful than general elections, as they only affect a single constituency, but they can be significant indicators of public sentiment and can influence policy decisions.

How do "by elections" differ from midterm elections?

"By elections" fill individual seat vacancies, while "midterm elections" are regular elections held midway through a president's or government's term and involve multiple seats.