if they elect to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if they elect to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing choices or decisions that individuals or groups may make. Example: "Participants will receive a bonus if they elect to stay for the additional training session."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Florida also permits the scholarships to move with the students if they elect to change schools.

The New York Times

If they elect to do this, Google will send them a benchmarking report.

The Guardian - Tech

Cablevision wants to market YES as a premium offering, which subscribers can watch only if they elect to buy it.

The New York Times - Sports

Subtract that from the cost of the plan that I found on Kynect, and you get an effective monthly premium of $320, a savings of $14 compared to the $334 the Mangiones will pay if they elect to stick with their current plan for a final year.

The New Yorker

In a 1992 review of "Howards End," for example, he wrote: "It's time for legislation decreeing that no one be allowed to make a screen adaptation of any quality whatsoever if Ismail Merchant, James Ivory and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala are available, and if they elect to do the job.

The New York Times

Yet the late Vincent Canby of the New York Times, no lover of the conventional "well-made" film and a fine novelist himself, wrote in 1992 (regarding Howard's End): "It's time for legislation decreeing that no one be allowed to make a screen adaptation of a novel of any quality whatsoever if Ismail Merchant, James Ivory, and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala are available, and if they elect to do the job.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

shareholders, if they elected to keep their shares, would then own 57 percent of the stock in the new company.

The New York Times

The Gem Plan was structured so that they paid monthly "option-to-purchase fees" and, if they elected to buy, the purchase price would reflect a 12 percent annual increase in the value of the house over the rental period.

The New York Times

If they elected to pay monthly, an additional $10 applies.

Forbes

They have no obvious replacement should he walk after the season, even if Jansen said he could understand if they elected to let him leave and try to close with Chris Hatcher, Pedro Baez or Yimi Garcia.

Los Angeles Times

Infant formula and weaning cereal were provided to women in this group at 4 months if they elected to adhere with their random assignment.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if they elect to" to clearly indicate a voluntary choice or decision made by a group, distinguishing it from mandatory actions. It emphasizes autonomy in the decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "if they elect to" in highly informal contexts. While generally acceptable, it leans towards a more formal tone. Opt for simpler alternatives like "if they want to" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if they elect to" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a scenario that depends on a choice made by a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if they elect to" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to introduce a conditional situation dependent on a voluntary decision made by a group. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, which is suitable for neutral to professional communication. It is commonly found in contexts such as news, science and business publications. When aiming for a more informal tone, consider alternatives like "if they choose to" or "if they decide to". Remember to use "if they elect to" when you want to emphasize the autonomy and voluntary nature of a group's decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should they choose to

Replaces "elect" with "choose", emphasizing the act of selection.

if they decide to

Uses "decide" instead of "elect", focusing on the decision-making aspect.

if they opt to

Substitutes "elect" with "opt", suggesting a selection from available options.

in the event they select to

Adds formality and emphasizes a specific condition for selection.

if they prefer to

Focuses on preference as the basis for the decision.

should they wish to

Indicates a desire or inclination to do something.

if it is their choice to

Highlights the aspect of free will and decision.

if they see fit to

Suggests that the decision is based on their assessment of appropriateness.

assuming they resolve to

Emphasizes the firmness of the decision.

provided they determine to

Adds a conditional and conclusive aspect to their decision.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if they elect to" for better clarity?

Consider alternatives such as "if they choose to", "if they decide to", or "if they opt to" to maintain clarity while varying your language.

Is "if they elect to" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "if they elect to" might sound slightly formal in very casual contexts. Simpler options like "if they want to" might be more appropriate. Use it in formal or semi-formal contexts.

What's the difference between "if they elect to" and "if they have to"?

"If they elect to" indicates a voluntary choice, whereas "if they have to" implies an obligation or necessity. The former suggests autonomy, the latter suggests a requirement.

How to use "if they elect to" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a condition based on a group's voluntary decision. For example, "Participants will receive a bonus "if they elect to" stay for the additional training session".