prorogue

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'prorogue' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb meaning to discontinue a session of a legislative body or court without dissolving it. Example sentence: The Prime Minister decided to prorogue Parliament until after the upcoming election.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Parliament is going to prorogue (go into recess at the end of the session) shortly, and it will not meet until the Queen's Speech on Wednesday 4 June.

The Guardian

This time sessions will be separated by a gap of 63 days.In this section Bubble warning Harper goes prorogue Time for tougher sanctions Reshaping politics A menagerie of monikers Reprints Related items Canada without Parliament: Halted in mid-debateJan 7th 2010 Reforming Canada's Senate: Adapt or dieDec 30th 2009Never mind what his spin doctors say: Mr Harper's move looks like naked self-interest.

The Economist

The established Canadian practice to obtain the governor-general's approval to prorogue Parliament was followed in this case, which, incidentally, has not typically included a meeting.

The Economist

See articleFloods and landslides killed more than 70 people in south-eastern Brazil, almost 30 of them when a hotel in Ilha Grande, in Rio de Janeiro state, was buried.In Canada protests gathered strength against the decision by Stephen Harper, the Conservative prime minister, to prorogue Parliament until March.

The Economist

It is difficult to fathom the argument from The Economist and elsewhere that this somehow renders Canada's Parliament, or its parliamentarians, powerless.Steven Fletcher Minister of state for democratic reform Ottawa* SIR – The last time Stephen Harper requested a prorogue it was granted and there was a legitimate reason for it.

The Economist

The royal governors were to have the power to decide when to call the provincial assemblies together, to prorogue, or dissolve, the assemblies, and to veto any legislation passed by those assemblies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

And look at the terminology: who else gets a "Whitsun break" or "prorogues" from the office?

The Guardian - Opinion

Since the previous election he has twice prorogued parliament for disgracefully lengthy periods, the second time to avoid awkward questions about whether his officials lied to the house about the treatment of detainees in Afghanistan.

The Economist

WHEN Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper, prorogued Parliament in December for more than two months, to avoid some bothersome debates, he said this was so his minority Conservative government could "recalibrate" its policies.

The Economist

In 2008 Mr Harper persuaded the governor-general to take the unusual step of proroguing Parliament, when it looked certain that his minority government was about to fall.

The Economist

No previous prime minister has prorogued the legislature "in order to avoid the kind of things that Harper apparently wants to avoid," says Ned Franks, a veteran political scientist and historian of Parliament.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prorogue" when referring specifically to the formal ending of a parliamentary or legislative session, understanding its constitutional implications and the powers associated with it.

Common error

Avoid using "prorogue" interchangeably with "dissolve". "Prorogue" suspends a session, while "dissolve" terminates the parliament altogether, often leading to new elections.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prorogue" is as a verb, indicating the action of discontinuing a session of a parliament or assembly. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various news and encyclopedia contexts, showing how it describes a specific political procedure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "prorogue" is a verb that refers to the act of discontinuing a session of a legislative body or parliament. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is grammatically correct and commonly used in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts. It is crucial to differentiate "prorogue" from dissolving a parliament, as the former suspends a session while the latter ends the term of the parliament. Related terms include "adjourn", "suspend", and "recess", each carrying slightly different connotations of temporary suspension. Understanding the specific constitutional and political implications of "prorogue" is essential for its accurate and effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjourn

Focuses on a temporary suspension rather than a complete termination of the session.

suspend

Emphasizes a temporary halt in proceedings, often shorter than a prorogation.

recess

Refers to a break or intermission in parliamentary proceedings.

terminate a session

Directly implies the ending of a parliamentary or legislative session.

dissolve parliament

Indicates a complete ending of the parliament, often before an election.

call a recess

Emphasizes the act of initiating a temporary break.

put off

Suggests a postponement to a later time or date.

postpone

Highlights the deferral of an event or meeting to a later time.

defer

Implies delaying something until a future time.

close the session

Indicates the end of a meeting or period.

FAQs

What does "prorogue" mean in the context of parliament?

"Prorogue" means to discontinue a session of a legislative body without dissolving it. It essentially suspends the session until a specified date.

When is it appropriate to use the term "prorogue"?

Use "prorogue" when discussing the formal ending of a parliamentary or legislative session, especially when the session is intended to resume at a later date. It's often used to reset the legislative agenda.

What is the difference between "prorogue" and "dissolve" parliament?

"Proroguing" parliament suspends the current session, with the expectation that parliament will reconvene. "Dissolving" parliament ends the term of the current parliament, necessitating a general election.

Are there any synonyms for "prorogue" that can be used in less formal contexts?

While "prorogue" is a formal term, you could use "suspend", "adjourn", or "recess" to describe a temporary break in proceedings in less formal settings.