What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
constituent
Example
The constituents of the city council voted on the new policy. [constituents: noun]
Example
The different ingredients are the constituents of this recipe. [constituents: noun]
Example
As a constituent of this district, I expect my representative to listen to my concerns. [constituent: noun]
element
Example
The element of surprise made the party even more enjoyable. [element: noun]
Example
Oxygen is an essential element for human life. [element: noun]
Example
The lack of communication was a critical element in the project's failure. [element: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Element is more commonly used than constituent in everyday language. Element is a more general term that can be used in many contexts, while constituent is more specific to political or organizational contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between constituent and element?
Constituent has a more formal and technical connotation than element. It is often used in political or organizational contexts and may not be as familiar to ESL learners who are not familiar with these contexts.