won the referendum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "won the referendum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the outcome of a vote or decision-making process where a proposal or measure was approved by a majority. Example: "The political party successfully won the referendum, leading to significant changes in local governance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

We won the referendum.

Independent

"Without him we wouldn't have won the referendum.

The Guardian

4. Who won the referendum on reproductive rights?

The New Yorker

"Without him we wouldn't have won the referendum," Farage explained.

The Guardian

Yet he won the referendum, and has now completed a stunning turnaround.

The Economist

The reason we won the referendum... is that we believe immigration should be controlled".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

10) Which side is going to win the referendum?

The New Yorker

I am more interested in winning the referendum.

Independent

None of which means that winning the referendum will be easy.

Independent

That time he managed to win the referendum and returned to office.

The Economist

He could even be confident of winning the referendum he has promised.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "won the referendum", ensure the context clearly indicates which referendum is being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the country or issue.

Common error

Avoid attributing the victory solely to one factor. Referendums are complex, and multiple elements usually contribute to the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "won the referendum" functions as a verb phrase where the verb "won" indicates the action of achieving victory, and "the referendum" is the direct object, specifying what was won. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "won the referendum" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe the outcome of a referendum. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its primary function is to report a victory, predominantly in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, specifying the context and avoiding oversimplification of the reasons for victory are best practices. Alternative phrasing such as "prevailed in the referendum" can offer variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevailed in the referendum

Replaces "won" with a more formal synonym, "prevailed", maintaining the overall meaning.

secured a victory in the referendum

Replaces "won" with a more descriptive phrase, "secured a victory", emphasizing the effort involved.

achieved a win in the referendum

Uses "achieved" to highlight the accomplishment of winning, adding a sense of effort and success.

triumphed in the referendum

Replaces "won" with "triumphed", suggesting a more significant or hard-fought victory.

carried the referendum

Implies that the winning side was responsible for the outcome, using the verb "carried".

succeeded in the referendum

Highlights the successful outcome of the referendum, focusing on the achievement.

the referendum resulted in a win

Shifts the focus to the referendum itself producing a win, rather than who won.

obtained a favorable result in the referendum

Emphasizes the positive outcome achieved through the referendum, using more formal language.

the 'yes' side prevailed in the vote

More specific mentioning a "yes" position, but maintains the overall meaning of a victory in a vote.

the referendum was won

Passive voice construction, shifting focus from the actor to the event itself.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "won the referendum"?

You can use alternatives like "prevailed in the referendum", "secured a victory in the referendum", or "triumphed in the referendum" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the referendum was won" instead of "won the referendum"?

Yes, "the referendum was won" is grammatically correct, but it uses passive voice. Saying "won the referendum" is more direct and usually clearer. The passive form shifts the focus from the winning side to the referendum itself.

How do I specify which referendum I'm talking about when I say "won the referendum"?

To avoid ambiguity, specify the subject or location. For example, "The Brexit campaign won the referendum" or "They won the referendum in Scotland" provides more clarity.

What does it mean when people say a campaign "carried the referendum"?

Saying a campaign "carried the referendum" implies that they were significantly responsible for the victory. It suggests their efforts were crucial in securing the win.