electoral advantage

USAGE SUMMARY

"electoral advantage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the benefit a political party or candidate gains by appealing to voters in a campaign. For example, "The incumbent president was able to gain an electoral advantage over his opponent due to his incumbency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Substituting electors for voters conferred on the slave states a huge electoral advantage, once the first census was taken, in 1790.

The New Yorker

It seems the electoral advantage is in being strictly ideological.

The New Yorker

It will always give him a potential electoral advantage".

The Guardian

Deep constitutional issues should not be bartered away for electoral advantage, as you suggested.

The Economist

Systems of plural voting were maintained in some countries, giving certain social groups an electoral advantage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So what is the justification for the change, apart from electoral advantage?

The Economist

No one would suggest that George W. embraced evangelicalism for electoral advantage.

The New Yorker

All these "evolutions" coincide with blatant homophobia itself evolving from an electoral advantage to a liability.

The Guardian - Opinion

For years our politicians have piggy-backed upon Christian morality for electoral advantage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, control of governors' mansions confers considerable electoral advantage to any party.

The New York Times

The only reason Labour is now proposing AV is because it sees electoral advantage in it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies or policies, use "electoral advantage" to highlight how they might improve a party or candidate's chances of winning an election.

Common error

Avoid using "electoral advantage" interchangeably with "governing mandate". "Electoral advantage" refers to gaining an edge in an election, while "governing mandate" signifies the authority to govern granted by winning an election. One precedes the election, while the other follows it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "electoral advantage" functions primarily as a noun phrase describing a benefit or edge in the context of elections. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "electoral advantage" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that refers to the benefit or edge a candidate or party has in an election. Ludwig confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and science. While it's important to distinguish it from related terms like "governing mandate", understanding and using "electoral advantage" correctly can enhance one's ability to analyze and discuss political strategies and election outcomes effectively. When writing about politics, be mindful of using it in a factual and objective way, avoiding bias towards any particular candidate or party.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Political advantage

Broader term encompassing any benefit in the political arena, not just elections.

Electoral benefit

Highlights the positive outcome or gain from a particular strategy.

Electoral superiority

Indicates a position of dominance or greater power in elections.

Electoral strength

Emphasizes the power and robustness of a candidate or party's position.

Electoral opportunity

Focuses on the availability of a chance to gain an advantage.

Electoral dominance

Indicates a prevailing influence or control over elections.

Electoral asset

Highlights a valuable resource that contributes to success in elections.

Electoral preference

Highlights the favor or support shown by voters, which can translate to an advantage.

Electoral usefulness

Emphasizes the practical value of a strategy or attribute in winning elections.

Electoral interest

Focuses on a topic of concern that can provide an advantage.

FAQs

How to use "electoral advantage" in a sentence?

You can use "electoral advantage" to describe a specific policy or strategy that helps a political candidate or party win an election. For example, "The candidate's focus on local issues gave them an electoral advantage over their opponent."

What can I say instead of "electoral advantage"?

You can use alternatives like "political advantage", "electoral opportunity", or "electoral benefit" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "electoral advantage" or "election advantage"?

"Electoral advantage" is the more common and widely accepted phrase. While "election advantage" might be understood, it's less frequently used and can sound less formal. Sticking with "electoral advantage" ensures clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between "electoral advantage" and "political power"?

"Electoral advantage" refers specifically to the benefit or edge a candidate or party has in an election campaign. "Political power", on the other hand, is a broader term that refers to the ability to influence or control government policy and decisions, which can be gained through various means, not just elections.