have the vote

USAGE SUMMARY

"have the vote" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to possess the right to vote in an election. Example: "Women in the United States did not have the vote until the 19th amendment was passed in 1920."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have the vote.

The New York Times - Magazine

Let us have the vote now.

The New York Times

And those associations, not clubs, have the vote.

The New York Times - Sports

Black South Africans did not have the vote.

The Guardian - Opinion

Probably monkeys have the vote in India now".

The New York Times - Books

So they think the poor shouldn't have the vote and they eat immigrants.

Yale University

Prisoners do not have the vote despite the court's objection to Britain's ban.

The Economist

"No matter what, if they just wait, they have the vote.

The New York Times

Another would allow local authorities to decide who should have the vote.

The Economist

"This may not come as a news flash, but owners have the vote".

The New York Times - Sports

When we've got a consensus, we will go to parliament and have the vote".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical contexts, use "have the vote" to highlight the acquisition of voting rights by previously disenfranchised groups, such as women or minorities.

Common error

Avoid overstating the impact of a single vote or a small group's votes. While every vote counts, implying that "having the vote" guarantees specific outcomes can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have the vote" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the possession of voting rights or the ability to participate in elections. Ludwig AI confirms this usage and numerous examples demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have the vote" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the possession of voting rights. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news media and academic contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various discussions about political participation. Its primary function is to convey that an individual or group is enfranchised. Related phrases include "possess the right to vote" and "be enfranchised". When using this phrase, remember to consider the scope of influence a vote carries and avoid exaggerating its impact. Overall, "have the vote" is a versatile and important phrase for discussing democracy and civic engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess the right to vote

This alternative directly states the legal entitlement to participate in elections.

be able to vote

This emphasizes the ability or possibility of voting.

be enfranchised

This is a more formal way of saying someone has been granted the right to vote.

exercise suffrage

This highlights the act of voting as a right.

be eligible to vote

This focuses on meeting the qualifications for voting.

participate in elections

This phrase emphasizes the action of taking part in the electoral process.

cast a ballot

This refers to the physical act of voting.

have a say

This is a more general term for having influence in a decision.

make a choice

This simplifies the act of voting to making a selection.

exert influence

This focuses on the power that comes with having the ability to vote.

FAQs

How can I use "have the vote" in a sentence?

You can use "have the vote" to indicate that someone possesses the right to participate in an election. For example, "Citizens over 18 "have the vote" in national elections."

What is a more formal alternative to "have the vote"?

A more formal alternative would be "be enfranchised", which specifically means being granted the right to vote.

Is it correct to say "given the vote" instead of "have the vote"?

While "given the vote" can be used, it emphasizes the act of granting the right to vote, whereas ""have the vote"" focuses on possessing that right.

What's the difference between ""have the vote"" and "exercise suffrage"?

""have the vote"" simply means possessing the right to vote, while "exercise suffrage" refers to the actual act of voting or using that right.