What Does “vote sb into sth” Mean?
“Vote sb into sth” means to officially choose someone by voting so that they gain a position, usually a job or role in an organization.
Introduction
The phrase vote sb into sth is commonly used in politics and organizations to describe the action of electing someone to a particular position through a voting process. When people vote someone into a role, they are giving that person the authority or responsibility associated with that position. Understanding the vote sb into sth meaning helps learners talk about elections, appointments, and decision-making in clear and natural English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: vote sb into sth (vote somebody into something)
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to elect someone to a position by voting
Structure (Grammar Rules)
The phrasal verb “vote sb into sth” is separable. This means you can place the object (sb) between “vote” and “into”.
- Pattern 1: vote somebody into something
- Example: They voted her into office.
- Pattern 2 (less common): vote into something somebody
- Example: They voted into office the new president.
Note: The first pattern is more natural and widely used.
How to Use vote sb into sth?
Use “vote sb into sth” when talking about elections or decisions where a group selects a person for a specific position. It is often used in formal or political contexts but can apply to any situation with voting, such as clubs or committees.
Remember to mention the person being voted for (sb) and the position or role (sth) they are entering.
Examples
Here are some examples of vote sb into sth in a sentence:
- The citizens voted him into the city council last year.
- She was voted into the board of directors after a close election.
- They voted the new manager into office during the annual meeting.
- Our team voted John into the leadership role unanimously.
- He was voted into parliament by a large majority.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the word order or use the wrong preposition. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: They voted into the office him.
- Correct: They voted him into the office.
- Incorrect: We voted him on the position.
- Correct: We voted him into the position.
Always use “into” after “vote sb” to show the position the person is entering.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “elect sb as sth” and “appoint sb to sth”.
- Elect sb as sth: Usually used in formal elections. Example: They elected her as president.
- Appoint sb to sth: Means to officially give someone a job or role, often without voting. Example: The company appointed him as manager.
“Vote sb into sth” emphasizes the voting process, while “appoint” does not.
Common Collocations
We often use “vote sb into sth” with positions or roles that involve responsibility or authority. Here are common collocations:
- office: a political or official position
- position: a job or role within an organization
- board: a group of people managing a company or organization
- parliament: a country’s legislative body
- committee: a group chosen to perform a task
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of vote sb into sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “vote sb into sth”:
Anna: Did you hear that they voted Sarah into the committee chair?
Mark: Yes, she has a lot of experience, so it makes sense.
Anna: I agree. The vote was almost unanimous.
Practice
Try this exercise to practice “vote sb into sth”:
Fill in the blank with the correct form:
- The members ________ him ________ the leadership role last night.
Options: a) voted / into, b) voted / on, c) elected / to
FAQ
- Q: Can you use “vote sb into sth” in informal situations?
A: It is mainly used in formal or official contexts but can be used informally when talking about elections. - Q: Is “vote sb into sth” separable?
A: Yes, you can separate the verb and preposition by placing the object in between. - Q: What is the difference between “vote sb into sth” and “appoint sb to sth”?
A: “Vote sb into sth” involves a voting process, while “appoint sb to sth” does not require a vote. - Q: Can I say “vote sb on sth”?
A: No, the correct preposition is “into” when referring to the position someone is voted for. - Q: What kinds of positions can you vote someone into?
A: Positions like office, board, committee, parliament, or any role requiring election.
