the citizenry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the citizenry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the body of citizens in a particular country or community, often in discussions about civic responsibilities or rights. Example: "The government must listen to the concerns of the citizenry to ensure a healthy democracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The citizenry revolted.

The New York Times

Are the citizenry defiant, resigned or intimidated?

The Economist

Where are the priorities of the citizenry?

The New York Times

We, the citizenry, are still interpreting.

The New York Times

But that has hardly satisfied the citizenry.

The New York Times

In theory, the citizenry needs to defend itself.

The New York Times

Maybe the citizenry should demand a Voter Bill of Rights.

The New York Times

About three-fourths of the citizenry are registered voters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Policy processes should ideally reflect the values of the citizenry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

RARELY does the British government speak directly to the citizenry.

The Economist

This has not gone down well with the citizenry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the citizenry" to emphasize the collective identity and shared rights or responsibilities of a group of citizens, particularly in discussions about governance, civic engagement, or social issues.

Common error

Avoid using "the citizenry" in casual or informal settings; it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for more accessible terms like "the people" or "the public" in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the citizenry" functions as a collective noun, representing all the citizens of a particular place considered as a group. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, especially when discussing matters related to governance, civic duties, or social issues. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s a proper expression and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun phrase "the citizenry" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to refer to the collective body of citizens within a specific area or nation. It is commonly employed in formal contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and academic discussions, where issues of governance, civic responsibilities, and social matters are addressed. While "the citizenry" conveys a sense of shared identity and civic duty, it should be used judiciously in more informal settings, where alternatives like "the people" or "the public" might be more appropriate. According to Ludwig AI, this is a proper and widely used expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the population

Focuses on the total number of inhabitants in a specific area.

the populace

Emphasizes the general public, often with a sense of commonality or shared experience.

the people

A broader term encompassing all individuals within a community or nation.

the electorate

Specifically refers to those eligible to vote in a particular region or country.

the residents

Denotes individuals who live in a particular place.

the inhabitants

Refers to those who dwell or reside in a specific location.

the community

Highlights the social aspect of a group of people living in the same area.

the public

Focuses on the general body of people, often in relation to government or public affairs.

the nationals

Refers to people who legally belong to a particular country.

the townspeople

Specifies the inhabitants of a town.

FAQs

How to use "the citizenry" in a sentence?

"The citizenry" is used to refer to the body of citizens within a particular region or nation. For example, "The government is accountable to the citizenry".

What can I say instead of "the citizenry"?

You can use alternatives like "the population", "the public", or "the people", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "the citizenry"?

It's most appropriate to use "the citizenry" in formal writing or speech when discussing civic responsibilities, rights, or the relationship between the government and its people.

What is the difference between "the citizenry" and "the population"?

"The citizenry" specifically refers to citizens of a country or region, implying rights and responsibilities. "The population", on the other hand, is a broader term that includes all inhabitants, regardless of citizenship status.