forced election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forced election" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an election that is conducted under coercive circumstances or where participants are compelled to vote in a certain way. Example: "The international community condemned the government's decision to hold a forced election, citing concerns over fairness and transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Thousands of Zanu-PF youth militia, armed with iron bars, sticks and other weapons, have attacked journalists and forced election observer teams to flee from the venue of the MDC scheduled rally.

The Guardian

A lawyer representing the Movement for Democratic Change, Chris Mhike, said that even if a last-minute ruling forced election officials to release the material sought, there would be no time to analyze the voting data and present it in the hearing on Saturday.

The New York Times

The hasty decision drew criticism and forced election officials to put in place a postal backup plan.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The opposition has forced elections, which it is widely expected to win, but it won't say what it will do.

The New York Times

ERC currently props up his minority government and would have forced elections if Mr Mas had reneged on his promise to call a referendum on independence next year.

The Economist

In Sandusky, Ohio, they ran out of ballots, forcing election workers to turn away 300 to 400 people.

The New York Times

The MDC said in a statement that youth militia loyal to Mugabe had attacked the rally, beating journalists and forcing election observers to flee.

The Guardian

That measure is intended, the coalition has said, to discourage political parties from forcing elections for purely partisan reasons.

The New York Times

If Mr. Ben-Eliezer left the government, he would take Labor with him, breaking the coalition and forcing elections.

The New York Times

Last week, Republicans voted with Democrats in Congress to intensify sanctions in an effort to force elections in DRC, observers noted.

The Guardian

The party holds 43 of 545 seats in Parliament, and forcing elections soon would not necessarily improve its standing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "forced election", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the forcing and what the implications of this coercion are.

Common error

Avoid using "forced election" to simply mean an early or snap election. The phrase implies coercion or manipulation, not just an alteration of the election schedule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forced election" functions as a noun phrase, where "forced" acts as an adjective modifying "election". This describes a specific type of election brought about by compulsion, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forced election" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe an election that is compelled due to certain pressures or circumstances. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is typically found in news and media contexts, implying a neutral register. While semantically similar alternatives like "compelled election" or "early election" exist, it's crucial to understand that "forced election" carries a stronger connotation of external coercion than simply an early or unscheduled election. The key is to accurately convey the reason for the election and the implications of its forced nature. The term's usage implies that the normal electoral process has been disrupted or altered by external factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Compelled election

Focuses on the act of compelling or obligating the election to occur.

Coerced election

Emphasizes the element of coercion or pressure in holding the election.

Imposed election

Highlights the imposition or enforcement of an election against resistance.

Election under duress

Explicitly states that the election is happening under pressure or coercion.

Mandated election

Suggests that the election is required by law or authority, but carries a nuance of being unwanted.

Election under pressure

States the fact that the election is held under external pressure.

Premature election

Indicates that the election is happening earlier than expected or desired.

Snap election

Conveys a sense of suddenness and unexpectedness in calling the election.

Early election

Simply states that the election is taking place before its scheduled time.

Triggered election

Focuses on the event or circumstance that initiated the election.

FAQs

What does "forced election" mean?

"Forced election" refers to an election that has been compelled, either by political circumstances or external pressure, often implying a lack of free choice or fairness.

What can I say instead of "forced election"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "compelled election", "early election", or "snap election".

Is "forced election" grammatically correct?

Yes, "forced election" is grammatically correct and understandable, although it carries a strong connotation of coercion.

How does a "forced election" differ from a scheduled election?

A "forced election" is triggered by specific circumstances (e.g., a vote of no confidence) and is not held during its pre-arranged schedule unlike a scheduled election.