elect

1.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to choose someone for an official position or public role by casting votes in an election

Example

Club members elected Christopher as their new treasurer at the annual meeting.

elect + somebody + as + position

Nora was elected to the student council by a large number of votes.

passive: be elected + to + institution

Common collocations

elect a president
elect a leader
elect a representative
elect a chairperson
elect a candidate
elected to office
elected by popular vote
democratically elected

Synonyms

vote in
informal phrasal verb, often used for a group outcome ('voted in a new leader')
appoint
decided by a person in authority, not by a vote
choose
more general; not limited to elections

Antonyms

vote out
remove from office by voting
dismiss
remove from a position, not necessarily by vote

Grammar Patterns

elect somebody + as + position

elect somebody + to + institution

be elected + position

Usage Note

Frequently used in the passive voice. In American English, 'as' after 'elect' is often dropped when followed by a title: 'She was elected president' (not 'elected as president').

Common Mistakes

They elected him as a president.

They elected him president.

When electing someone to a unique position, no article is needed before the title.

We elected for the new plan.

We voted for the new plan.

'Elect' means choosing a person, not choosing a proposal; use 'vote for' for proposals.

2.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to make a deliberate choice to follow a particular course of action, often after thinking about it carefully

Example

Many good students elect to study abroad for one year during college.

elect + to-infinitive

After the flood ruined their home, the Chen family elected to move somewhere safer.

elect + to-infinitive with causal context

Common collocations

elect to remain
elect to participate
elect to stay
elect to withdraw
elect to pursue

Synonyms

choose to
more common in everyday speech; less formal
opt to
similar formality, implies a choice between alternatives
decide to
more neutral; less emphasis on deliberation

Antonyms

reject
to refuse to accept or do something
decline
to politely say no to doing something

Grammar Patterns

elect + to-infinitive

Usage Note

More formal than 'choose' or 'decide to'. Only takes a to-infinitive complement — never a gerund ('elect doing' is incorrect). Often used for decisions that carry weight or seriousness.

Common Mistakes

I elected going to the evening class.

I elected to go to the evening class.

This sense requires a to-infinitive, not a gerund.

She elected for the blue dress.

She chose the blue dress.

'Elect to' is for actions/courses, not for objects.

1.nounC2

Definition

in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions, those people whom God has chosen for salvation or a special spiritual purpose

Example

The idea of the elect appears throughout the Old Testament and other early writings.

the + elect (always with definite article)

The pastor explained that the elect are called to serve their neighbors with kindness.

Common collocations

the elect of God
among the elect
one of the elect
the elect are called

Synonyms

the chosen
more general; not exclusively religious
the saved
narrower; refers only to those granted salvation
the faithful
broader; includes all believers, not just those predestined

Antonyms

the damned
in religious contexts, those condemned to punishment
the lost
those who have not received salvation

Grammar Patterns

the elect

Usage Note

Almost always preceded by 'the' (the elect). In modern religious contexts, often paired with 'the chosen people' in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Rare in everyday speech — primarily found in biblical commentary, theology, and sermons.

Common Mistakes

The elects believe in God.

The elect believe in God.

'Elect' already carries a plural meaning; do not add -s.

An elect of the church.

One of the elect in the church.

'Elect' is never used as a singular count noun in this sense.

2.nounC1

Definition

a small, carefully chosen set of individuals widely seen as the most gifted or capable within a given area

Example

Only the elect among the science students were invited to join the research program.

the elect among + group

The awards ceremony honored the elect of this year's film and theater industry.

Common collocations

among the elect
the elect of
only the elect

Synonyms

the elite
more common in everyday use; can have neutral or negative connotations
the select few
emphasises small size of the group
the chosen few
carries a sense of special privilege or destiny

Antonyms

the masses
the general population, lacking special distinction
the rank and file
ordinary members of a group, not the leadership

Grammar Patterns

the elect

Usage Note

Always takes the definite article. Strongly formal or literary in tone. In modern usage, 'elite' or 'select few' are more frequent alternatives.

Common Mistakes

The elects of the art world attended the gallery opening.

The elect of the art world attended the gallery opening.

No plural -s on 'elect'.

She was an elect in her profession.

She was among the elect in her profession.

'Elect' in this sense is always a collective plural.

1.adjectiveB2

Definition

used immediately after a political title for someone who has won an election to that position and is waiting to officially take up the role

Example

The president-elect gave a short speech thanking her supporters on election night.

title + elect (postpositive)

The governor-elect met with the current governor to discuss the transition of power.

Common collocations

president-elect
governor-elect
mayor-elect
prime minister-elect
chairperson-elect
senator-elect

Synonyms

incoming
broader; applies to any position, not just elected ones
designate
similar postpositive use, but can apply to appointed roles too

Antonyms

outgoing
the person currently leaving the position
lame-duck
an official still in office but already replaced by the election result

Grammar Patterns

title + elect

Usage Note

Always placed AFTER the noun it modifies — never before. A hyphen is standard between the title and 'elect'. Common titles: president-elect, governor-elect, prime minister-elect, mayor-elect. The term is used during the transition period between election day and inauguration day.

Common Mistakes

The elect president spoke to reporters.

The president-elect spoke to reporters.

Must follow the noun, not precede it.

The president elect gave a speech.

The president-elect gave a speech.

The hyphen is a standard part of the compound.

2.adjectiveC1

Definition

chosen for excellence from among many candidates; hand-picked because of outstanding qualities

Example

An elect group of young dancers received scholarships to study at top training schools.

elect + noun (attributive position)

Only an elect few are chosen for the special training program each summer.

Common collocations

an elect few
an elect group
elect members
elect guests

Synonyms

select
more common; also means carefully chosen but less formal
hand-picked
emphasises personal choice by an authority
choice
describes high quality, often of consumer goods

Antonyms

ordinary
not special or exceptional
average
typical, not standing out from the rest
random
chosen without any selection process

Grammar Patterns

elect + noun

Usage Note

Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). Sounds quite formal or even archaic in modern English. In everyday speech, 'select' or 'hand-picked' are more natural alternatives. Often paired with 'few' (an elect few).

Common Mistakes

The team is elect and talented.

The team is select and talented.

'Elect' cannot be used as a predicate adjective after a linking verb.

She bought an elect dress for the party.

She bought a carefully chosen dress for the party.

'Elect' is too formal and rare for everyday objects; use 'select', 'choice', or 'hand-picked' instead.

Word family

election
nounB1
electoral
adjectiveB2
electorate
nounC1
elector
nounC1
elective
adjectiveC1
re-elect
verbB2
re-election
nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Elect', 'vote for', 'choose', 'select', and 'appoint' all involve picking someone or something, but they differ in method and scope. 'Elect' specifically means choosing someone for a position through a formal voting process — it is the only word that implies an election with ballots or a show of hands. 'Vote for' is the broader action of casting a ballot; you can vote for a person or a proposal, but only a person can be elected. 'Choose' and 'select' are more general and do not imply any particular process — you can choose a meal or select a gift, which would sound odd with 'elect'. 'Appoint' means a person in authority decides, so there is no vote involved. For example: 'The club elected Christopher as treasurer (members voted). The CEO appointed a new manager (no vote). The board selected a design from three options (a decision, but not necessarily an election).'

elect ↗vote forchoose ↗select ↗appoint ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

democratically
directly
freely
unanimously
newly
freshly

Phrases

by popular vote
by a large margin
to a position
for a term

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'ēligere' meaning 'to pick out, choose', formed from 'ex-' (out) and 'legere' (to pick, gather). The word passed through Old French 'elire' before entering Middle English in the 15th century. The original sense of 'picking out' later narrowed to the political voting sense, while the adjective and noun forms developed from the idea of being 'chosen out' from a group.

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elect

elect — verb

1. to choose someone for an official position or public role by casting votes in an

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to make a deliberate choice to follow a particular course of action, often after

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

elect — noun

1. in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions, those people whom God has chosen f

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. a small, carefully chosen set of individuals widely seen as the most gifted or c

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

elect — adjective

1. used immediately after a political title for someone who has won an election to

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. chosen for excellence from among many candidates; hand-picked because of outstan

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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