What is ballot? Pronunciation and usage in English

ballot means . Learn how to pronounce and use ballot through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of ballot

ballotnoun

/ˈbælət//ˈbælət/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "ballot" in English. Here's a breakdown:

Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • bahlt (rhymes with "halt")

    • bah - Like the beginning of "father"
    • lt - A quick, single "l" sound

British English Pronunciation:

  • balt (rhymes with "salt")

    • bal - Like "ball"
    • t - A simple, single "t" sound

Here's a breakdown of the sounds:

  • "bal": This part is fairly straightforward. It's like the word "ball".
  • "lot": This is where the slight difference comes in.
    • American: The "t" is very quick and barely pronounced. It's almost blended into the "l."
    • British: The "t" is pronounced more clearly, like the word "salt."

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Google Search: Simply search "how to pronounce ballot" on Google, and you’ll usually find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/ballot/ - This website provides pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce ballot" on YouTube. Many videos demonstrate the pronunciation.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (generally)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) – This helps me give you the pronunciation most common in your region.

Usage and examples with the word ballot in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ballot" in English. It's a really common word, especially around election time!

1. Core Meaning:

At its most basic, a ballot is a piece of paper (or sometimes an electronic form) containing a list of names, options, or choices that voters use to express their preference for a candidate or issue.

2. Common Uses:

  • Voting Elections: This is the most frequent use. “Voters lined up to cast their ballots in the primary election.” “I received my ballot by mail last week.”
  • Referendums and Initiatives: Ballots are also used for decisions on specific issues within a community. “The town held a ballot to decide whether to build a new park.”
  • Surveys/Polling: Though less common, sometimes a "ballot" is used to represent a questionnaire or survey, especially if there are multiple choice options. “We sent out a ballot to gauge public opinion on the proposed changes.”

3. Forms & Phrases:

  • “To cast your ballot”: This means to actually vote using the ballot. “I’m going to cast my ballot for the candidate I believe in.”
  • “Absentee ballot”: A ballot that’s sent to someone who can't be at the polling place (often due to illness, travel, or disability). “She voted by absentee ballot because she was out of town.”
  • “Ballot box”: The container where ballots are placed. “The ballot box was securely locked after the voting concluded.”
  • “Ballot paper”: A slightly more formal term for a ballot.

4. Examples in Sentences:

  • "Each voter was given a secret ballot with the names of the candidates."
  • "Make sure to fill out your ballot completely and accurately."
  • "The election results will be announced once all the ballots have been counted."
  • "She carefully marked her ballot before submitting it to the polling station."

5. Tips for Using It Correctly:

  • Formal vs. Informal: “Ballot” is generally a more formal word than “vote.” “Vote” is perfectly acceptable in most everyday conversations.
  • Context is Key: You'll almost always use "ballot" when talking about an official voting process.

Resources for More Information:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some more example sentences?
  • Explain a specific type of ballot (e.g., ranked-choice ballot)?
  • Help you use “ballot” in a particular sentence you’re working on?

Synonyms for the word ballot

Practice with vocabulary ballot

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The recent election saw a record number of citizens cast their ____, indicating high civic engagement.
  2. All participants received a detailed ____ outlining the topics for discussion at the conference.
  3. During the union meeting, members had to fill out a secret ____ to decide on the new wage proposal.
  4. The committee decided to hold a ____ on the proposal after a lengthy discussion.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following scenarios typically involves a "ballot" as a method of decision-making? a) Citizens electing their national representatives. b) Employees formally selecting a union leader. c) A group of friends informally choosing a movie. d) Shareholders voting on a merger proposal.

  2. When an official count of votes is conducted after an election, it is often called a: a) opinion poll b) census c) tally d) survey

  3. The term "ballot box" refers to: a) A container for storing campaign flyers. b) A receptacle for collecting completed votes. c) A place where political debates are held. d) A database of voter registrations.

  4. To "cast a ballot" means to: a) Publicly announce one's political views. b) Formally register to vote. c) Submit one's vote in an election or poll. d) Organize a political rally.

  5. Which of the following words describes the collective act of expressing a choice or preference in a group decision? a) petition b) consensus c) referendum d) election e) vote

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The citizens expressed their choice for the new city council members by submitting their filled-out papers at the polling station. Rewrite the sentence, using "ballot":

  2. The board members had a discussion and then decided by a show of hands. Rewrite the sentence, without using "ballot":

  3. The process of voting secretly for candidates in an election is a fundamental aspect of democracy. Rewrite the sentence, using a word form of "ballot":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. ballot
  2. agenda
  3. ballot
  4. vote

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) Citizens electing their national representatives. b) Employees formally selecting a union leader. d) Shareholders voting on a merger proposal.
  2. c) tally
  3. b) A receptacle for collecting completed votes.
  4. c) Submit one's vote in an election or poll.
  5. e) vote

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The citizens cast their ballots for the new city council members at the polling station.
  2. The board members had a discussion and then voted by a show of hands.
  3. Balloting for candidates in an election is a fundamental aspect of democracy.

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