elect a leader

Meaning

This phrase refers to the process of choosing a person to guide, represent, or manage a group, organization, or country, typically through a formal vote. It is commonly used in discussions about politics, community groups, school clubs, or workplace committees.

Examples

• The local community center is planning to elect a leader next Tuesday.

  The local community center is planning to elect a leader next Tuesday.

• We need to elect a leader who actually listens to our concerns.

  We need to elect a leader who actually listens to our concerns.

• Instead of arguing, why don't we just elect a leader to make the final decisions?

  Instead of arguing, why don't we just elect a leader to make the final decisions?

• The students gathered in the auditorium to elect a leader for the student council.

  The students gathered in the auditorium to elect a leader for the student council.

• It can be difficult to elect a leader when everyone has such different opinions.

  It can be difficult to elect a leader when everyone has such different opinions.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We voted to elect for a leader.

  ✓ We voted to elect a leader.

  The verb 'elect' is transitive and takes a direct object. You do not need the preposition 'for' after 'elect'.

• ✗ The citizens chose to vote a leader.

  ✓ The citizens chose to elect a leader.

  'Vote' usually requires 'for' (vote for a leader) or is replaced by 'elect' when describing the action of officially choosing someone into office.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Every four years, the citizens gather to ___ for their country.

  💡 Choose a person to guide the nation.

  Show answer

  elect a leader

• The club members decided to ___ who would manage the budget.

  💡 Vote for someone to head the group.

  Show answer

  elect a leader