elective

/ɪˈlektɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlektɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈlek-tiv/ (ame, mw) · /iˈlek.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlek.tɪv/ (ame, ipa)

elective — adjective

  • electivepositive
  • more electivecomparative
  • most electivesuperlative

1. used to describe a medical treatment or operation that you arrange before the da

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe a medical treatment or operation that you arrange before the date it happens, because the condition does not need to be treated right away — for example, replacing a damaged joint or having a mole removed, rather than dealing with a sudden injury or a life-threatening illness.

例句

Hassan chose an elective hip replacement after months of pain, before his daughter's wedding.

collocation: elective hip replacement

Unlike emergency procedures, elective surgeries give patients time to save money and plan their recovery.

contrast: elective vs emergency

同義詞
  • non-emergency

    less formal, everyday term for treatment that does not require immediate action

  • scheduled

    focuses on the timing aspect rather than the medical context

  • optional

    broader meaning; less precise for medical contexts because it does not highlight the urgency contrast

反義詞
  • emergency

    requiring immediate medical attention

  • urgent

    needing prompt action, often because the condition is worsening

文法句型

elective + noun (surgery/procedure/treatment)

be elective

用法筆記

Frequently used attributively before medical nouns such as 'surgery', 'procedure', 'operation', or 'treatment' to distinguish planned care from emergency care.

常見錯誤

❌He needed elective surgery immediately after the car accident.
✅He needed emergency surgery immediately after the car accident.
💡An elective procedure is planned in advance, not a response to a sudden injury.
❌The elective surgery was cancelled because the patient's life was in danger.' (suggests it was optional/elective, but the context says it was urgent).
✅The emergency surgery was performed because the patient's life was in danger.
💡Use 'emergency' when the situation requires immediate action to save a life.

2. describes a position or system in which people choose who holds a role by castin

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a position or system in which people choose who holds a role by casting votes — for example, a mayor, a committee chairperson, or a student government representative, rather than someone being appointed by a higher authority.

例句

The city council made the mayor's role elective, letting residents vote every four years.

collocation: elective position

In a democratic system, most leadership positions are elective rather than appointed.

contrast: elective vs appointed

同義詞
  • elected

    more commonly used for the person who wins a vote; 'elective' focuses on the position itself

  • democratic

    broader term describing the whole system, not just the method of filling a role

反義詞
  • appointed

    chosen by a person in authority rather than by public vote

  • hereditary

    passed down through family lines rather than decided by election

文法句型

elective + noun (position/office/role/system)

用法筆記

Typically appears before nouns such as 'position', 'office', 'seat', 'role', or 'system'. Not used for the act of voting itself; use 'electoral' for that (e.g. 'electoral process').

常見錯誤

❌The king's throne is an elective position.
✅The president's role is an elective position.
💡'Elective' applies to roles filled by voting, not inherited titles.
❌The elective process was fair and transparent.
✅The electoral process was fair and transparent.
💡Use 'electoral' to describe the system or process of voting.

3. describes something that you may choose to do or join without being forced to —

3.形容詞B2
釋義

describes something that you may choose to do or join without being forced to — for example, a workshop at a conference that you add to your schedule only if it interests you, or a club at school that you can decide to attend or skip.

例句

Dahlia enrolled in an elective course on graphic design to go with her required classes.

collocation: elective course

The Saturday workshop was elective, so only half the employees chose to come.

pattern: be elective (predicative)

同義詞
  • optional

    more common in everyday English across many contexts

  • voluntary

    emphasises that participation is based on free will, often used for activities or services

  • non-compulsory

    formal and less common; used in official documents

反義詞
  • compulsory

    something you must do by rule or law

  • mandatory

    required by an authority or regulation

  • required

    needed to meet a condition or standard

文法句型

elective + noun (course/module/activity)

be elective

用法筆記

Common in academic contexts to describe subjects or modules that students may select freely. In non-academic contexts, 'optional' is more frequent and less formal.

常見錯誤

❌I have to take chemistry — it is elective this year.
✅Chemistry is elective this year, so I can choose not to take it.
💡If something is elective, you have a choice about whether to do it.
❌Attendance is elective, so everyone must be there.
✅Attendance is optional / not required, so everyone must be there.
💡Contradiction: 'elective' means you may choose not to attend.

elective — noun