did not vote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not vote" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone chose not to participate in a voting process, such as an election or a poll. Example: "Many citizens did not vote in the last election, leading to a lower turnout than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Platini did not vote.

The New York Times - Sports

The House did not vote.

The New York Times - Science

Four senators did not vote.

The New York Times

He did not vote either.

The Economist

Ronnie did not vote.

The New York Times

He did not vote.

The Guardian

I did not vote for it.

The New York Times

"I did not vote for those bills".

The New York Times

Fifteen members did not vote.

The New York Times

Sixteen members did not vote.

The New York Times

But Blatter did not vote.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting election results, use "did not vote" to clearly distinguish between abstentions and votes against a proposition or candidate. This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid implying a specific reason why someone "did not vote" without factual basis. Simply state the fact without adding speculative interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not vote" functions as a statement of non-participation in a voting process. It indicates that an individual or group chose not to cast a vote for any reason. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did not vote" is a very common and grammatically correct way to indicate non-participation in a voting process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media reporting. The phrase is primarily used to convey the simple fact of not voting, whether by choice or circumstance. Alternatives like "abstained from voting" or "chose not to vote" can add nuance depending on the intended meaning. When using the phrase, it's crucial to avoid implying reasons for not voting without proper evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstained from voting

Emphasizes the conscious decision to refrain from voting.

did not cast a vote

Focuses on the physical act of voting and its omission.

was absent from the vote

Highlights the physical absence during the voting process.

refrained from voting

Similar to abstained, but can also imply a more general avoidance.

chose not to vote

Emphasizes the deliberate choice not to participate.

did not participate in the vote

Broader term encompassing any form of non-participation.

was not present for the vote

Highlights being away when the voting took place.

sat out the vote

Informal way of saying someone chose not to participate.

remained neutral during the vote

Indicates a deliberate choice not to take sides.

skipped the vote

An even more casual expression of not voting

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "did not vote"?

It means the person did not participate in a particular vote, either by abstaining, being absent, or otherwise not casting a ballot.

What's a more formal way to say "did not vote"?

A more formal alternative is "abstained from voting", which implies a deliberate choice not to participate.

Is it better to say "did not vote" or "chose not to vote"?

Both are correct, but "chose not to vote" emphasizes the decision-making process, while "did not vote" is a more neutral statement of fact.

How do I report that several members of a group "did not vote"?

You can say "Several members did not vote" or, for more detail, "Fifteen members "were absent from the vote"" to specify the reason if known.