vox populi

USAGE SUMMARY

'the voice of the people' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the collective opinions and ideas of a particular group of people. For example, "We must listen to the voice of the people and recognize their needs and wants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is the voice of the people".

The New York Times

She's the voice of the people, right?

The New Yorker

"And that force is called the voice of the people".

The New York Times

You better start listening to the voice of the people.

The Washington Post

Democracy, he says, "means the voice of the people".

The New York Times

Folklore, after all, is the voice of the people".

The New York Times

"I think the voice of the people was clear.

The Guardian

"Money speaks louder than the voice of the people".

The Guardian

Nor are they necessarily the voice of the people.

The Guardian - Books

"We intend to heed the voice of the people".

The New York Times

Wisdom is to listen to the voice of the people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vox populi" sparingly, as it can sound pretentious in modern contexts. Consider more straightforward alternatives like "public opinion" or "voice of the people".

Common error

Avoid using "vox populi" in situations where a simpler, more direct phrase would be more appropriate. Overusing Latin phrases can make your writing seem unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vox populi" functions as a noun phrase representing the collective opinion or sentiment of the general public. Ludwig shows similar phrases often appear in discussions about democracy and political representation.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vox populi" is a Latin phrase meaning "voice of the people", used to describe public opinion. Ludwig indicates that while grammatically correct, its usage is relatively infrequent in modern English. It tends to appear in formal or academic contexts when discussing political or social issues. Due to its somewhat archaic nature, consider using more common alternatives like "public opinion" or "voice of the people" for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public opinion

Focuses on the collective views of the populace, a more neutral term.

popular sentiment

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of public opinion.

voice of the people

Highlights the expression of public will, similar in tone but more explicit.

will of the people

Suggests a determined and unified desire of the population.

general consensus

Implies a broad agreement among the public.

prevailing opinion

Indicates the most widespread belief at a given time.

common view

Refers to a widely held perspective on a particular issue.

public demand

Emphasizes the public's desire for something specific.

collective voice

Highlights the unified expression of a group.

grassroots movement

Describes a movement driven by ordinary citizens expressing their opinions.

FAQs

How can I use "vox populi" in a sentence?

While "vox populi" means the voice of the people, consider using it sparingly to prevent sounding overly formal. A sentence example would be: "The politician claimed to be guided by the vox populi in making his decisions."

What does "vox populi" mean?

Vox populi is a Latin phrase that translates to "voice of the people". It refers to public opinion or the collective will of the population.

What can I say instead of "vox populi"?

You can use alternatives like "public opinion", "voice of the people", or "popular sentiment" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "vox populi" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "vox populi" might sound archaic in modern formal writing. Opt for "public opinion" or similar phrases for clarity and contemporary tone.