Poll vs The vote is __ to __

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Poll

Top 1,000 (very common)C1noun

The vote is __ to __

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Poll
 PollThe vote is __ to __
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/pəʊl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pəʊl/"]/🇬🇧 //ðə vəʊt ɪz tuː tuː//🇺🇸 //ðə voʊt ɪz tu tu//
MeaningA method to find out what people think, often by asking questions.A way to express a proposal or choice made by people.
ExampleThe latest poll shows that the incumbent candidate is leading by 10 points.The vote is crucial to determining the outcome of the election.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationslocal, national, nationwide, carry out, conduct, do, confirm something, find something, indicate something, numbers, rating, results, in the polls, be ahead in the polls, be behind in the polls, a lead in the polls, presidential, go to, open, close, at the pollscast a vote, take a vote, final vote, majority vote
Antonymsconsensus, agreement-
Common mistakesConfused with 'pole' — 'poll' is about opinions, 'pole' is a long stick., Using 'polls' as a verb incorrectly — it should be used primarily as a noun., Misunderstanding the context — not all surveys are called polls.Confused placement of 'to' in phrases., Omitting the context when writing sentences., Using incorrect verb forms with the phrase.
Usage notesUse 'poll' when discussing surveys or public opinions. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, like news articles or casual conversations. Avoid using it for informal questions that don’t involve structured responses.Used formally in elections or decisions. Can be informal in casual discussions about preferences.

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The vote is __ to __

Frequently asked questions: Poll vs The vote is __ to __

What's the difference between Poll and The vote is __ to __?

Poll: A method to find out what people think, often by asking questions. The vote is __ to __: A way to express a proposal or choice made by people.

Which is more common: Poll and The vote is __ to __?

Poll is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Poll: The latest poll shows that the incumbent candidate is leading by 10 points. The vote is __ to __: The vote is crucial to determining the outcome of the election.

Can I use Poll and The vote is __ to __ interchangeably?

Not always. Poll and The vote is __ to __ are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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