grassroots

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "grassroots" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any type of political or social action that originates from the ordinary citizens of a region or nation. For example: "The grassroots movement to end homelessness has made major strides in the last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The speech did too much of the former and not enough of the setting out our own stall to enthuse the grassroots.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm so glad you asked me that –it's genuinely grassroots: unprompted, social-media followers are taking independent action.

The Guardian

Sainsbury's partnership with British Athletics reflects its wider commitment to inspiring healthy lifestyles for all, and complements grassroots campaigns such as Active Kids and the Sainsbury's School Games.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cruz, a Tea Party favorite who has built a grassroots following for taking a hard-right line against establishment Republicans, has also been a vocal supporter of so-called "religious freedom" laws that have been accused of opening the door to discrimination against LGBT people.

The Guardian

Posing for media opportunities next to country club golf courses while accepting last-minute endorsements from Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, he embodies a concerted attempt by older, wealthier Republican leaders to wrest back power from the grassroots activists who have caused so much havoc in Congress.

The Guardian

He said Morwell had some similarities with the federal seat of Indi, where the independent Cathy McGowan defeated Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella after a grassroots campaign to engage local people about political issues.

The Guardian

There are many ongoing – just like the protests led by people with increasingly lower expectations of the government but insistently high hopes for a grassroots movement they say is just getting started.

The Guardian

"There's no support for grassroots culture," he says.

The Guardian

He listens to people and he's more from the grassroots".

The Guardian

It's about national politicians accepting that local politicians might know what they're doing Gerry Stoker, professor of politics at the University of Southampton, argues that while the strongest force behind the 1997 Labour government's devolution programme was a grassroots movement in Scotland, the business community was crucial in building the case for a mayor in London.

The Guardian

Lieven, who has written about Clinton's hawkishness on foreign policy, said it was unlikely that Clinton, whose grassroots staff is already joining an invisible campaign that could signal an April kickoff, would emerge as more strongly interventionist than she had otherwise presented herself to be.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grassroots" to emphasize that an initiative, movement, or organization is driven by ordinary people rather than established powers.

Common error

Avoid using "grassroots" when describing top-down or centrally-controlled initiatives, as it implies bottom-up, community-driven action.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "grassroots" primarily functions to describe movements, organizations, or initiatives that originate from and are driven by the general public or local communities. As Ludwig AI describes, the term relates to society at the local level.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grassroots" is an adjective that describes initiatives, movements, or organizations originating from the general public or local communities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very commonly used, primarily in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember to use "grassroots" to highlight the bottom-up, community-driven nature of an effort. Related phrases include "bottom-up" and "community-based". Avoid using it for top-down initiatives. The term carries a neutral register and enjoys widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grass roots

It's a two-word variant with same meaning.

bottom-up

Focuses on the origin of something, starting from the base level.

citizen-led

Emphasizes the active role of ordinary citizens in driving change.

community-based

Highlights the local or community origin of the effort or initiative.

ground-level

Stresses the practical, on-the-ground nature of an action or movement.

local

Emphasizes the geographical proximity and involvement of people within a specific area.

rank-and-file

Refers to the ordinary members of an organization or group, as opposed to the leadership.

popular

Indicates wide acceptance or support from the general public.

decentralized

Focuses on the distribution of power away from a central authority.

participatory

Highlights the involvement of individuals in decision-making processes.

FAQs

How is "grassroots" used in a sentence?

"Grassroots" is used to describe initiatives, movements, or organizations that originate from and are driven by the general public or local communities, contrasting with top-down or centrally-controlled efforts. For example, "The "grassroots campaign" gained momentum quickly."

What are some synonyms for "grassroots"?

Alternatives for "grassroots" include "bottom-up", "community-based", and "citizen-led", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "grass roots" instead of "grassroots"?

Yes, "grass roots" (two words) is an acceptable variant of "grassroots" (one word) and carries the same meaning. Both refer to something originating from or involving ordinary people at a local level.

What's the difference between a "grassroots movement" and a traditional political campaign?

A "grassroots movement" typically arises spontaneously from the public, driven by shared concerns or goals. Traditional political campaigns are usually organized and funded by established political parties or organizations.