Elect vs. Select — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
Elect means to choose someone for a specific role or office by voting, while select means to choose from a number of possibilities; selection doesn't necessarily involve voting.
Difference Between Elect and Select
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Elect and select are both verbs that revolve around the action of choosing. However, to elect typically implies a formal decision-making process, often involving voting, to fill a particular position or office. On the other hand, to select represents a broader action of picking or choosing from among multiple options, not confined to official positions.
When people elect, they are often participating in a democratic process, like electing a president or a mayor. It's about choosing a person (or sometimes a proposal) based on majority preference. In contrast, when people select, it can be a personal, informal choice, such as selecting a dress to wear or a dish to order.
The term elect also has connotations in religious contexts. For instance, in theology, the "elect" can refer to individuals predestined by divine will for salvation. Select doesn't share this religious connotation. Instead, it can pertain to things of higher quality or things chosen because of their distinctiveness or superiority.
In usage, elect is more definitive. Once someone is elected, the decision is final, barring any extraordinary circumstances. Select, however, might involve a process of comparison and reconsideration. After selecting something, one might de-select it in favor of another choice.
To illustrate, consider this: A country may elect its leader through a voting process, ensuring that the person holds office for a specified term. In contrast, an individual might select a book to read for the evening, but halfway through, choose to select a different one.
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Comparison Chart
Process
Often involves voting
Doesn't necessarily involve voting
Usage
Formal decision-making for positions
General act of choosing
Connotations
Can have religious implications
Indicates quality or distinction
Finality
More definitive and final
Might involve reconsideration
Contextual Application
Primarily associated with official roles and offices
Broadly applied to various scenarios
Compare with Definitions
Elect
Predestined for salvation in theological terms.
Some believe in the concept of the elect in religious doctrines.
Select
Carefully chosen as being the best or most valuable.
She is a member of a select group of scientists.
Elect
To select by divine will for salvation. Used of God.
Select
Of special quality or value; exclusive.
They were invited to a select event.
Elect
Chosen but not yet inducted into office.
The president-elect will take the oath next week.
Select
To use a tool or feature to highlight or choose a digital element.
Click and drag to select multiple files.
Elect
Outstanding or superior.
She is an elect scholar in her field.
Select
To choose from a number of possibilities.
He had to select one dessert from the menu.
Elect
To select by vote for an office or for membership
Elected her club president.
Select
To pick out or designate for a particular role or purpose.
The coach will select the team's captain today.
Elect
To pick out; select
Elect an art course.
Select
To take as a choice from among several; pick out
We selected the ripest pears at the orchard. The winning ticket was selected at random.
Elect
To decide, especially by preference
Elected to take the summer off.
Select
To make a choice or selection
The menu offered numerous dishes to select from.
Elect
Chosen deliberately; singled out
An elect group of advisers.
Select
Singled out in preference; chosen
A select few.
Elect
Elected but not yet installed. Often used in combination
The governor-elect.
Select
Of special quality or value; choice
Select peaches.
Elect
Chosen for marriage. Often used in combination
The bride-elect.
Select
Of or relating to the USDA grade of beef that has less marbling than choice or prime cuts.
Elect
Selected by divine will for salvation.
Select
Careful or refined in making selections; discriminating.
Elect
One that is chosen or selected.
Select
One that is chosen in preference to others or because of special value.
Elect
One selected by divine will for salvation.
Select
(used with a pl. verb) Chosen or preferred items or people considered as a group. Often used with the.
Elect
(used with a pl. verb) An exclusive group of people. Used with the
One of the elect who have power inside the government.
Select
Privileged, specially selected.
Only a select few were allowed into the premiere.
Elect
One chosen or set apart.
Select
Of high quality; top-notch.
This is a select cut of beef.
Elect
(theology) In Calvinist theology, one foreordained to Heaven. In other Christian theologies, someone chosen by God for salvation.
Select
To choose one or more elements of a set, especially a set of options.
He looked over the menu, and selected the roast beef.
The program computes all the students' grades, then selects a random sample for human verification.
Elect
(transitive) To choose or make a decision (to do something)
Select
(databases) To obtain a set of data from a database using a query.
Elect
(transitive) To choose (a candidate) in an election
Select
Taken from a number by preferance; picked out as more valuable or exellent than others; of special value or exellence; nicely chosen; selected; choice.
A few select spirits had separated from the crowd, and formed a fit audience round a far greater teacher.
Elect
(postpositive) Who has been elected in a specified post, but has not yet entered office.
He is the President elect.
Select
To choose and take from a number; to take by preference from among others; to pick out; to cull; as, to select the best authors for perusal.
The pious chief . . . A hundred youths from all his train selects.
Elect
Chosen; taken by preference from among two or more.
Select
Pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives;
Take any one of these cards
Choose a good husband for your daughter
She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her
Elect
Chosen; taken by preference from among two or more.
Select
Of superior grade;
Choice wines
Prime beef
Prize carnations
Quality paper
Select peaches
Elect
Chosen as the object of mercy or divine favor; set apart to eternal life.
Select
Selected or chosen for special qualifications;
The blue-ribbon event of the season
Elect
Chosen to an office, but not yet actually inducted into it; as, bishop elect; governor or mayor elect.
Elect
One chosen or set apart.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.
Elect
Those who are chosen for salvation.
Shall not God avenge his won elect?
Elect
To pick out; to select; to choose.
The deputy elected by the Lord.
Elect
To select or take for an office; to select by vote; as, to elect a representative, a president, or a governor.
Elect
To designate, choose, or select, as an object of mercy or favor.
Elect
An exclusive group of people;
One of the elect who have power inside the government
Elect
Select by a vote for an office or membership;
We elected him chairman of the board
Elect
Choose;
I elected to have my funds deposited automatically
Elect
Selected as the best;
An elect circle of artists
Elite colleges
Elect
Elected but not yet installed in office;
The president elect
Elect
To choose someone for a role or office through voting.
The nation will elect its new president next month.
Elect
To decide on or make a choice.
They elected to go by train instead of driving.
Common Curiosities
Is elect only used in political contexts?
Mostly, but not solely. Elect can also refer to choices in general and has theological connotations in some contexts.
Is the term "select" always about choosing the best?
Not necessarily, but it can imply a choice based on quality or distinction.
Does selecting always mean finalizing a choice?
No, after selecting, one might reconsider and choose differently.
What does "president-elect" mean?
It refers to someone who has been elected president but hasn't assumed office yet.
Can both elect and select be used interchangeably?
Not always. While both refer to choosing, elect often implies formal choice through voting, whereas select has broader applications.
Can objects be elected?
Typically, objects aren't elected. People are elected to positions, while objects are selected.
Do all elections result in someone being elected?
In most cases, yes, but there might be exceptions, like if a vote is inconclusive.
Can you select someone for a job without electing them?
Yes, selecting someone doesn't always require a voting process.
Is "elect" related to "elite"?
Both words have origins in the Latin "eligere," which means "to choose," but they have different connotations in English.
Does every election involve a majority?
Not necessarily. Some elections might be based on other criteria, like a plurality.
Are the terms "elect" and "select" exclusive to the English language?
The concepts exist in many languages, but the specific terms and their nuances are particular to English.
Can both words be used as adjectives?
Yes, like "elect official" or "select group."
Can I say "select a president"?
While it's grammatically correct, the usual term in political contexts is "elect a president."
Is selecting always a deliberate act?
Typically, yes. Selecting implies a conscious choice.
Can you "deselect" after electing?
In formal elections, no. But in broader senses of choosing, you might change your choice.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
