seventeenth amendment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seventeenth amendment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the Amendment to the United States Constitution that was ratified in 1913, which states that direct election of United States senators is the only method for choosing them. For example, "The direct election of U.S. senators was established by the Seventeenth Amendment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Before 1913, with the adoption of the Seventeenth Amendment, senators were elected by their respective state legislatures.

The New Yorker

But in 1913 the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, giving the public a direct vote.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Seventeenth Amendment, eliminating the election of Senators by state legislatures, was ratified in 1913, 23 years after Hans.

Cornell University

This radically changed in 1913, when the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, giving the public a direct vote.

Princeton University

In contrast, members of the Senate were appointed by the states until the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment (1913), which mandated the direct election of senators.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Senate.gov has data on freshmen senators going back to 1914, the first election after the Seventeenth Amendment established direct election of United States senators by popular vote.

The New York Times

The Senate committee was organized in 1916 following the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment, which provided for the direct election of senators.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Seventeenth Amendment, amendment (1913) to the Constitution of the United States that provided for the direct election of U.S. senators by the voters of the states.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Fourteenth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment.

The New Yorker

Check the First Amendment.

The New York Times

First Amendment?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the "seventeenth amendment", clarify its significance in relation to direct democracy and the shift from state legislature appointments to popular vote elections for senators.

Common error

Avoid mistaking the "seventeenth amendment" for other constitutional amendments. Always verify the amendment number when discussing specific aspects of the U.S. Constitution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seventeenth amendment" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific amendment to the United States Constitution. It is used to name and reference this particular amendment in legal, historical, and political contexts. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seventeenth amendment" is a well-established and grammatically correct noun phrase referring to the 1913 amendment that mandated the direct election of U.S. senators. Ludwig AI affirms that its usage is correct and common. Analysis of usage patterns indicates its frequent appearance in news media, academic texts, and encyclopedias. When writing about this topic, be sure to clearly articulate its significance in the shift from state legislature appointments to popular vote elections, and avoid confusing it with other amendments. Remember it is an important part of political and legal discussions about direct democracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amendment seventeen

Reverses the order of the words while maintaining the same meaning.

17th amendment to the constitution

Adds 'to the constitution' for more clarity.

the seventeenth constitutional amendment

Includes the adjective 'constitutional'.

the amendment that allows direct election of senators

Describes the amendment's function instead of naming it directly.

the senate election amendment of 1913

Focuses on the amendment's specific subject matter and year of ratification.

direct election of senators amendment

Highlights the main effect of the amendment.

constitutional provision for direct senate elections

Refers to the general provision rather than the specific amendment.

1913 senate election reform

Refers to the historical event prompted by the Amendment.

popular election of senators amendment

Focuses on the 'popular' aspect of the amendment.

the amendment ensuring popular vote for senators

Emphasizes the effect of ensuring direct representation through popular vote.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the "seventeenth amendment"?

The "seventeenth amendment" to the United States Constitution established the direct election of senators by the people of each state, replacing the previous system where senators were chosen by state legislatures.

When was the "seventeenth amendment" ratified?

The "seventeenth amendment" was ratified on April 8, 1913, and it significantly altered the way United States senators are selected.

How did the selection of senators work before the "seventeenth amendment"?

Before the "seventeenth amendment", senators were chosen by state legislatures. This system was often criticized for corruption and gridlock, which led to the push for direct elections.

What are some arguments for and against repealing the "seventeenth amendment"?

Some argue that repealing the "seventeenth amendment" would restore power to the states and improve the balance of federalism. Others argue that doing so would undermine direct democracy and make the Senate less responsive to the people.