seconding the motion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seconding the motion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal settings, such as meetings or parliamentary procedures, to indicate support for a proposal or motion that has been made. Example: "After Jane proposed the new policy, I quickly stood up to second the motion, showing my support for her idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The biggest teaching union, the National Education Union, is seconding the motion.

BBC

"Woof woof," barked a German Shepherd, seconding the motion.

Huffington Post

"Bow wow!" said a Greyhound seconding the motion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The historian seconded the motion.

The New York Times - Arts

Fuzzy Julie seconded the motion, and it passed in a unanimous vote.

The New Yorker

A motion was made by Professor A. George to call the meeting and Professor E. Garcia seconded the motion.

Cornell University

Then, according to a clerk's notes, "Jimmy made a motion to adjourn and Claude seconded the motion.

The New York Times

Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, seconded the motion saying Turnbull "can't manage the parliament, the cabinet or the country".

The Guardian

Mr. Macksey moved that the record take note of the fact; Mr. O'Donoghue seconded the motion & it passed.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Clinton then seconded the motion by telling Tim Russert in a debate that her pollster was "making a historical statement".

The New York Times

The U.S. and other G-7 nations have seconded the motion.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seconding the motion" in formal meeting settings to clearly indicate your support for a specific proposal being discussed. This phrase adds a professional and procedural tone to your endorsement.

Common error

Avoid using "seconding the motion" in casual conversations or informal settings. It can sound overly formal and out of place, potentially making your communication seem unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seconding the motion" functions as a performative utterance, confirming support for a proposed action. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is used in formal contexts to officially back a suggestion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seconding the motion" is a grammatically sound and usable expression predominantly employed in formal settings to express support for a proposed motion. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it’s essential for endorsing proposals in structured environments like meetings or parliamentary procedures. While primarily found in news and media, it's best to avoid using it casually to prevent sounding overly formal. Alternatives like "supporting the proposal" or "endorsing the motion" may be more appropriate in less formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seconding the proposal

Equivalent to "seconding the motion" but uses the word "proposal" instead.

supporting the proposal

Focuses on the action of support but uses the term "proposal" instead of "motion".

endorsing the motion

Emphasizes formal approval or backing of the motion.

backing the motion

Implies providing support or resources for the motion.

affirming the motion

Highlights the act of confirming or validating the motion.

approving the motion

Focuses on the formal consent or sanctioning of the motion.

agreeing with the motion

Indicates a concurrence of opinion with the motion.

concurring with the motion

A more formal way of expressing agreement with the motion.

giving support to the motion

Expresses general assistance or endorsement for the motion.

standing in agreement with the motion

Suggests a public or visible show of support for the motion.

FAQs

How do you use "seconding the motion" in a sentence?

You typically use "seconding the motion" after a motion has been proposed. For example, "After Jane proposed the new policy, I quickly stood up to second the motion, showing my support for her idea."

What's the purpose of "seconding the motion" in a formal meeting?

Seconding a motion ensures that at least two people support the proposal before it's discussed further. It prevents the meeting from spending time on ideas that lack initial support, making the meeting more efficient.

What can I say instead of "seconding the motion"?

You can use alternatives like "supporting the motion", "endorsing the motion", or "backing the motion" depending on the context and level of formality. See also /s/supporting+the+proposal.

Is "seconding a motion" the same as "proposing a motion"?

No, "proposing a motion" is when you introduce a new idea or suggestion, while "seconding the motion" means you are supporting a motion that someone else has already proposed. They are distinct actions in a formal setting.