vote
vote — noun
1. The action of marking a ballot paper or raising your hand to state who you suppo
The action of marking a ballot paper or raising your hand to state who you support or what you want to happen when choosing leaders or settling group questions.
Ada cast her vote at the local polling station before lunch.
cast a vote — the standard verb phrase
The committee took a vote on the new safety rules after a long discussion.
take a vote on [topic]
Each club member has one vote in the election for the next chairperson.
Christopher's vote was the deciding one that broke the tie.
文法句型
cast + a vote
take + a vote
have + one vote
用法筆記
Used with verbs like cast, take, have, count, or win. The preposition on introduces the topic being decided: 'a vote on the proposal.'
常見錯誤
2. A procedure in which the members of a committee or meeting make a decision by st
A procedure in which the members of a committee or meeting make a decision by stating their preference and then totalling the responses.
The board settled the disagreement by vote instead of further argument.
by vote — adverbial phrase for method
The chairperson put the proposed change to a vote among the staff.
put [something] to a vote
The residents held a vote to decide whether to build a new playground.
After two hours of debate the meeting finally moved to a vote.
- poll
can mean the same procedure but often suggests a survey rather than a formal decision
- referendum
a specific type of vote where the general public decides on a single political question
文法句型
by + vote
put + something + to + a + vote
hold + a + vote
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrase 'put something to a vote' — meaning to stop discussing and start the formal voting process. Also often appears as 'by vote' to describe how a decision was reached.
3. The combined number of ballots cast for a candidate, party, or option in an elec
The combined number of ballots cast for a candidate, party, or option in an election, often expressed as a percentage or total count.
The mayor won sixty-two percent of the vote in the city election.
percent of the vote — common reporting pattern
The vote in the northern region was strongly in favor of the new transport plan.
The Green Party's share of the vote has doubled since the last election.
Early reports show the vote is split almost evenly between the two main candidates.
- ballot count
more specific to the counting process, less common in everyday speech
- turnout
refers to the number of people who voted, not which candidate they chose
文法句型
the + vote + for/in + [region/group]
share + of + the + vote
用法筆記
Used in the singular to refer to the collective result ('the vote was close') even though it represents many individual ballots. Can be modified by region or demographic group: 'the youth vote,' 'the rural vote.'
4. The legal right of a citizen to take part in an election by casting a ballot.
The legal right of a citizen to take part in an election by casting a ballot.
Women in Switzerland won the vote in 1971 after a long campaign.
win the vote — historical context
Citizens who have the vote should make sure they use it on election day.
have the vote — possess the right
The fight for the vote was difficult and long in many countries around the world.
In the local council election, permanent residents do not have the vote.
- disenfranchisement
the state of being denied the right to vote
文法句型
the + vote
have + the + vote
win + the + vote
用法筆記
Almost always used with the definite article: 'the vote.' Often appears in historical or political discussions about who is allowed to vote. The phrase 'get the vote' means to be granted this right.
常見錯誤
5. A specific instance of voting on a particular question or proposal, where people
A specific instance of voting on a particular question or proposal, where people say yes or no to a single idea.
The council took a vote on whether to raise local taxes this year.
a vote on whether to [action]
Let's have a vote on the restaurant choice — pizza or Thai food.
Gita called for a vote on the proposal after the debate became too heated.
The first vote of the meeting was about the new office furniture budget.
- ballot
can refer to a single issue vote but more often means the paper or the whole election process
- referendum
a vote by the public on a single political question, more formal and large-scale
文法句型
a + vote + on + [topic]
take + a + vote + on
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 focuses on the action of a person casting a ballot ('she cast her vote'), while sense 5 focuses on the event or item being decided ('a vote on the budget'). The phrase 'take a vote on' nearly always signals this sense.
vote — verb
1. To formally state your choice for a person, party, or plan when selecting leader
To formally state your choice for a person, party, or plan when selecting leaders or deciding group questions, usually by checking a box on a ballot form, pressing a button, or raising your hand.
Hamza voted for the new library project during the town hall meeting.
vote for [person/project] — expressing support
Élise voted against the proposal because she thought the cost was too high.
vote against [proposal] — expressing opposition
More than half the members voted to increase the annual membership fee.
The delegates voted that the conference should be held in Seoul next year.
Ryan was voted onto the committee at the end of the general meeting.
- cast a ballot
more formal phrase focusing on the physical act; used in official contexts
- go to the polls
refers specifically to voting in a public election at a polling station
- abstain
to choose not to vote at all
文法句型
vote + for/against + [person/proposal]
vote + to + verb
vote + that + clause
vote + [someone] + into/onto + [position]
用法筆記
The most common patterns are 'vote for' (support) and 'vote against' (oppose). 'Vote to + verb' is used when a group decides on an action. The transitive pattern 'vote someone onto/into a role' is used in committee and board contexts.