constituencies

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "constituencies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people within a political system who select their representatives, as in the following sentence: "The constituencies of the city have elected a new mayor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In reality, the effect on MPs' seats is more complex to measure as voters are not spread evenly across constituencies: some areas within may heavily favour one party, others its main rival.

The Guardian

This indirect electoral maths suggests that Ukip's outsize influence on the national debate (relative to their parliamentary presence) could be set to continue as the major parties seek to fend off the threat in their key marginal constituencies.

The Guardian

The same of course is also true of the Labour-SNP bloc of seats: even if Nicola Sturgeon's party were to win in 30-40 constituencies, and not in the 50 or more implied in the polls, most of those seats would be staying with Labour.

The Guardian

Labour is facing a desperate battle to stop a Scottish National party landslide after a poll showed the SNP had a clear but weaker lead across Labour constituencies in Scotland.

The Guardian

All command sizeable constituencies; all, however, bring some serious baggage into this election.

The Guardian

All four main party leaders were re-elected, topping the polls in their constituencies.

The Guardian

In Tory-held constituencies such as Pudsey – where Labour came second in 2010, and the Lib Dems were a decent third – they could lose if Lib Dem deserters return to Labour in numbers.

The Guardian

Those standing on its ticket regard their best route to survival as emphasising their personal and local track records in individual constituencies rather than their role in a governing party.

The Guardian

We announced 106 target seats in 2013, the crucial majority of which were Conservative-held constituencies in England and Wales.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the event, in these constituencies there was an average swing of 1.4% away from us to the Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mick Tighe, a mountain guide who lives near Roy Bridge, outside Fort William, and who knew Kennedy, said: "I wonder how many MPs are born and bred in their constituencies, whose families go back generations in that constituency and still continued living in it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about election results, specify the level of "constituencies" you are discussing (e.g. national, regional, local) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "constituencies" loosely. Ensure that you're referring to defined electoral districts, not just any group of people with shared interests or locations. For example, saying "the health constituencies" is not appropriate; rather use health stakeholders, or patient groups.

Linguistic Context

The term "constituencies" primarily functions as a plural noun, referring to the geographical areas or groups of people represented by an elected official. Ludwig AI confirms this as well as the examples in the search results which show its use in describing electoral divisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "constituencies" is a plural noun that denotes electoral districts or the body of voters represented by an elected official. Ludwig AI highlights its correct grammatical status and its prevalent use in News & Media sources. It's important to distinguish it from informal phrases, maintain clarity regarding its scope, and acknowledge its significance within political discourse. Its proper usage ensures accurate communication when describing elections, representation, and political dynamics. While "electoral districts", "voting regions", or "political divisions" can serve as alternatives, understanding the precise meaning of "constituencies" enhances political writing and discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

electoral districts

Replaces "constituencies" with a more formal term for designated areas for elections.

voting regions

Substitutes "constituencies" with a phrase emphasizing the act of voting in specific geographical areas.

election areas

Uses a simpler term to refer to the areas designated for elections, avoiding the more technical term.

political divisions

Replaces "constituencies" with a more general term emphasizing the political aspect of the division.

district electorates

Combines the concept of districts with the body of eligible voters, changing the emphasis.

voting precincts

Emphasizes the local voting places within a larger area, focusing on the immediate voting location.

ward divisions

Uses the term 'ward' which is a specific type of electoral district, typically in urban areas.

representation areas

Focuses on the aspect of representing people within specific geographical boundaries.

designated localities

Replaces with a more general phrase that encompasses the idea of specific, demarcated areas.

territorial divisions

Highlights the geographical aspect of the division, relevant in a political context.

FAQs

What does "constituencies" mean in a political context?

In politics, "constituencies" refers to the body of citizens eligible to elect a representative, or the district that they inhabit.

How are "constituencies" determined?

The boundaries of "constituencies" are usually determined by a boundary commission to ensure roughly equal representation based on population size.

What is the difference between a "constituency" and a district?

While often used interchangeably, a "constituency" specifically relates to electoral representation, whereas a district is a more general term for a geographical or administrative division.

Can "constituencies" change over time?

Yes, the boundaries of "constituencies" can be redrawn periodically to reflect population shifts and ensure fair representation. These boundary changes are important during election times.