they have elected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have elected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people has made a choice or decision, typically in the context of voting or selecting someone for a position. Example: "After much discussion, they have elected a new president to lead the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They have elected me as their MP at the last three elections.

The Guardian

"They have elected a government..

The New Yorker

"They have elected a government...

The New Yorker

Now they have elected more than 40,000 people.

Stanford University

And in the voting booth they have elected to vote with their feelings.

The New York Times

(The book's editors say they have elected to leave untouched some cases of "potential ambiguity").

The New York Times - Books

If the American people cared passionately about earmarks, wouldn't they have elected John McCain?

The New York Times

They love him more than they love the people they have elected themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

"What is surprising is they have elected to charge her individually," he said.

The New York Times

But "they have elected, to date, not to participate," said George Little, a spokesman for the Pentagon.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They have 'elected' leaders.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have elected" when you want to emphasize that a group made a choice through a formal selection process, such as an election.

Common error

Avoid using "they have elected" for informal choices. Instead of saying "they have elected to have pizza for dinner", use "they decided to have pizza for dinner".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have elected" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the present perfect tense. It indicates that a group or body of people has completed the action of electing someone or something. Ludwig confirms this grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they have elected" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate that a group has made a choice through a selection process, typically an election. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense, serving to inform or report the outcome of an election or selection. It is most frequently found in news and media and academic contexts, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Alternative phrases like "they chose" or "they selected" can be used for similar meanings, but "they have elected" carries a specific connotation of a formal selection process. Ludwig shows that, although the phrase is valid, it's important to consider the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they chose

Emphasizes the act of choosing with a simpler verb.

they selected

Highlights a deliberate act of selection.

they voted for

Specifically refers to the act of voting.

they appointed

Implies a formal assignment to a position.

they designated

Suggests a formal or official naming or choosing.

they nominated

Focuses on the act of proposing someone for a role.

the electorate has chosen

Highlights the role of the voters in a formal manner.

the people have decided on

Emphasizes a collective decision by the people.

they installed

Refers to formally placing someone in office.

they picked

An informal way of saying they chose.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they have elected"?

You can use alternatives like "they chose", "they selected", or "they voted for" depending on the context.

Is "they have elected" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they have elected" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate that a group has completed the action of electing someone.

When is it appropriate to use "they have elected"?

It's appropriate to use "they have elected" when you want to emphasize that a group made a choice through a formal selection process, typically involving voting or a formal decision.

What's the difference between "they have elected" and "they elected"?

"They elected" is simple past tense, referring to a completed action in the past. "They have elected" is present perfect, implying the action has relevance to the present. For instance, "They elected a new mayor last year" vs. "They have elected a mayor who is now implementing new policies."