canvass

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "canvass" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean "to solicit votes or orders door-to-door" or as a noun to mean "a solicitation of votes or opinions from a particular group of people". Example Sentence: The team of volunteers canvassed the neighborhood to gain support for their candidate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sally Cranfield, who is helping to canvass this morning, argues that the complaints are a measure of the party's success.

The Guardian

The Yes campaign has been backed by all the main political parties but a small number of backbenchers are to vote No. Concerns have grown the more conservative politicians from the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael parties did not sufficiently canvass support, particularly in rural areas, amid fears of a backlash at next year's general election and a sense of complacency the proposal would be accepted.

The Guardian

However, it is understood the review did canvass how much the ABC could save if it sold all its TV studios around the country and centralised production in Sydney.

The Guardian

Last weekend 250 activists turned up to canvass across Tory-held Battersea when, according to their candidate Will Martindale, all but 10 streets in the constituency were canvassed.

The Guardian

When I canvass opinion, everyone acknowledges the tourism dividend but several say there are now too many, or worry about the white-tailed eagles' impact on other inhabitants – hares, golden eagles and farmers.

The Guardian

I frequently canvass the audience on their views by giving them little cards to fill in anonymously.

The Guardian - Opinion

LEAFLETS under one arm, Mark Reckless is preparing to canvass a hilly street in Rochester when a resident approaches him and thrusts an envelope into his hand.

The Economist

Before they know it, her targets have a new social life built around Barack Obama's re-election drive.This is the essence of Mr Obama's campaign strategy: to build up a vast but carefully co-ordinated network of volunteers in swing states, of which there are around a dozen, to register voters in their neighbourhoods, canvass friends and acquaintances and turn out supporters on election day.

The Economist

I'm tagging along with Sarah Newman and her son as they canvass for Barack Obama in the Dundee neighbourhood sort of like trick-or-treating, but with more clipboards and less chocolate (alas).Nebraska is a reliably red state.

The Economist

Some candidates have fancy marquees with chandeliers to canvass votes.

The Economist

I had come to watch three plucky undergraduates canvass their neighbours for the Yes camp.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "canvass", ensure your audience understands its formal tone; it's best suited for political, academic, or professional contexts rather than casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "canvass" in informal settings; it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "ask" or "find out" when communicating casually.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "canvass" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It describes the act of actively seeking out opinions, votes, or support, as Ludwig shows with many real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "canvass" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as supported by Ludwig AI. Primarily employed as a transitive verb, it signifies the active solicitation of opinions, votes, or support, often in a formal setting. While widely used in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, it's essential to consider its formality when choosing between "canvass" and simpler alternatives for casual conversations. Common errors include misjudging the formality and using it when simpler terms might be more suitable. Remember to keep the formality of your tone in mind when using “canvass”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solicit opinions

Emphasizes the act of asking for opinions, less formal than "canvass".

gather support

Focuses on accumulating backing, particularly in political or advocacy contexts.

seek votes

Specifically refers to attempting to gain votes, common in elections.

poll constituents

Involves surveying public opinion, often in a political context, more formal.

survey opinions

Implies a more structured and systematic approach to gathering opinions.

assess sentiment

Focuses on gauging the overall feeling or attitude of a group.

gauge public reaction

Aims to measure how the public responds to something.

seek endorsement

Refers to obtaining formal approval or support.

take a poll

To ask a sample of people for their opinions about something.

sound out

Informally explore someone's opinions or feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "canvass" in a sentence?

You can use "canvass" as a verb meaning to solicit votes or opinions. For example: "The volunteers planned to "canvass" the neighborhood for support."

What are some synonyms for "canvass"?

Alternatives to "canvass" include "solicit opinions", "gather support", or "seek votes", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "canvass" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "canvass" is more formal and might sound out of place in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "ask" or "discuss".

What is the difference between "canvass" and "poll"?

"Canvass" typically involves direct, personal solicitation of opinions or votes, whereas "poll" refers to a more structured survey or assessment of public opinion.