canvassing

/ˈkæn.vəs/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈænvəsɪŋ] /ˈkæn.vəs/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈænvəsɪŋ] /ˈkan-vəs How to pronounce canvas (audio)/ (ame, mw)

canvassing — verb

  • canvassingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • canvassings3rd person singular
  • canvassinging-ing form
  • canvassingedpast simple

1. to go around an area speaking to residents in order to win votes or political ba

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to go around an area speaking to residents in order to win votes or political backing

例句

Gita spent Saturday canvassing apartments for the green party's mayoral campaign.

canvass + area + for party

Wren was canvassing door to door before the council election.

door-to-door political outreach

同義詞
  • campaign

    broader and more general; not limited to direct contact with voters

  • electioneer

    more formal and slightly old-fashioned

  • stump

    focuses more on travelling around to give speeches

文法句型

canvass + area

canvass + voters

canvass + area + for + candidate / party

用法筆記

Usually takes a place or a group of voters as its object, and for often introduces the candidate or party being promoted. Distinguish from sense 2, where the aim is to collect views rather than win support.

常見錯誤

❌Volunteers canvassed the rally all afternoon.
✅Volunteers canvassed the neighbourhood all afternoon.
💡In this sense, you canvass voters or the area where you meet them, not the event itself.

2. to question many people directly so you can learn their views or gather informat

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to question many people directly so you can learn their views or gather information

例句

Emre spent the morning canvassing shop owners about the new parking rules.

canvass + people + about + topic

Mira is canvassing passengers on the ferry about weekend travel plans.

同義詞
  • survey

    often more formal and more closely tied to structured questions

  • poll

    usually narrower and often linked to public opinion or voting

  • interview

    often one person at a time and usually more detailed

文法句型

canvass + people + about + topic

canvass + households / residents

canvass + group + for + information

用法筆記

The object is usually a group of people, and the topic often follows with about. Distinguish from sense 1, which is aimed at gaining backing rather than collecting views.

常見錯誤

❌The team canvassed that everyone was satisfied.
✅The team canvassed residents and found most were satisfied.
💡Canvass means asking people directly, not stating the result by itself.

3. to put a proposal forward so other people can talk about it before making a deci

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

to put a proposal forward so other people can talk about it before making a decision

例句

Tuan is canvassing a shorter workweek at tomorrow's staff meeting.

canvass + proposal in formal discussion

Eliska tried canvassing a new ticket price before the festival opened.

同義詞
  • propose

    the plain everyday verb for suggesting an idea

  • table

    more formal and tied to meetings or official discussion

  • float

    more informal and suggests trying an idea out to see reactions

文法句型

canvass + idea / proposal / option

canvass + plan + with + group

用法筆記

Most common in formal discussion, reports, or meetings where a proposal is being tested before a decision. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about asking people for information or opinions.

常見錯誤

❌She canvassed about cutting the budget in the report.
✅She canvassed cutting the budget in the report.
💡In this sense, canvass usually takes the idea itself as the object.