backbenches

IPA/ˌbækˈbentʃ/
IPA/ˌbækˈbentʃ/

backbenches — noun

  • backbenchesplural

1. the seats at the back of the British House of Commons where Members of Parliamen

1.名詞B2
釋義

the seats at the back of the British House of Commons where Members of Parliament who hold no ministerial or senior opposition position sit

例句

After losing his cabinet position, Tunde returned to the backbenches as a regular MP.

return to the backbenches — from ministerial role

The backbenches grew quiet when the prime minister entered the chamber for questions.

backbenches as collective subject of a verb

反義詞
  • front bench

    the seats where government ministers and shadow cabinet members sit

文法句型

on the backbenches

return to the backbenches

from the backbenches

spend time on the backbenches

用法筆記

Always used in the plural form. Common in British political news and parliamentary reporting. The singular 'backbench' exists only as an adjective (e.g., 'backbench MP').

常見錯誤

❌He spent years on the backbench.
✅He spent years on the backbenches.
💡'backbenches' is always plural as a noun, even when referring to a single person's position.
❌The backbencher raised the issue from his seat.
✅The MP raised the issue from the backbenches.
💡'backbenches' refers to the seats or the position, not the person.