in a general election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a general election" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing elections that involve the selection of candidates for public office by the electorate at large. Example: "The candidates will present their platforms to the voters in a general election scheduled for November."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

See articleAlgerians voted in a general election.

The Economist

ARRARAS: … candidate in a general election?

The Washington Post

Will that work in a general election?

The Guardian

The top two would vie in a general election.

The New York Times

This could be important in a general election.

Independent

In a general election, Biden's likability could serve him well.

The New Yorker

And in a general election, the middle must be won.

The New York Times

Why would things be different in a general election?

The Guardian - Opinion

That, once more, is an advantage in a general election.

The Washington Post

Might it all end in a general election?

The Guardian

In a general election, though, this is not the case.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a general election", ensure the context clearly defines which country or region's election you are referring to, especially if the readership is international. For example, specify "in the UK general election" or "in the German general election" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid substituting prepositions like "on" or "at" for "in" when referring to a general election. While "at the election" is acceptable, it changes the focus from the event itself to the location/time. Keep "in a general election" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a general election" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying the time or circumstances under which an action occurs, as seen in Ludwig's examples. It provides context for events that happen during such elections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a general election" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to provide context about events occurring during an election involving the entire electorate. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media sources and carries a neutral register, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts. While alternatives exist, such as ""during a general election"", the choice depends on the desired nuance. Ensure clarity by specifying the country or region when the context is not immediately obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during a general election

Replaces the preposition "in" with "during", slightly altering the temporal focus.

at a general election

Substitutes "in" with "at", providing a locative rather than a temporal sense.

in national elections

Replaces "general" with "national", emphasizing the scope of the election.

during a nationwide vote

Highlights the nationwide scope of the election process.

during the election cycle

Shifts focus to the overall timeframe of the election process.

at the polls

Refers to the act of voting in general, lacking the specific reference to a general election.

during the popular vote

Specifies the aspect of the election related to the popular vote.

when the country votes

A more descriptive alternative, focusing on the action of the electorate.

when the nation goes to the polls

A more emphatic way to describe the act of voting.

as the public votes

Focuses on the public's participation in the electoral process.

FAQs

How can I use "in a general election" in a sentence?

You can use "in a general election" to describe events or situations that occur during or are related to a general election. For instance, "The candidates will debate key policy issues "during a general election"."

What are some alternatives to saying "in a general election"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""during a general election"", "at the polls", or "in national elections".

Is it correct to say "at a general election" instead of "in a general election"?

While "at a general election" is not grammatically incorrect, "in a general election" is more common and idiomatic. "At" might be used to refer to a specific event during the election, but "in" refers to the entire electoral process.

What is the difference between "in a general election" and "in the election"?

"In a general election" specifies that the election is a general one, involving the entire electorate. "In the election" is more generic and could refer to any type of election. Using "in a general election" makes it clear that it's a nationwide vote.