What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
councilor
Example
The city councilor proposed a new policy to address traffic congestion. [councilor: noun]
Example
She was elected as the councilor for her district in the last election. [councilor: noun]
Example
As a counselor, she provided guidance and support to students struggling with mental health issues. [counselor: noun]
representative
Example
The company sent a representative to negotiate the terms of the contract. [representative: noun]
Example
He was elected as the representative for his state in Congress. [representative: noun]
Example
This survey is a representative sample of the population's opinions on the issue. [representative: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Representative is more commonly used than councilor in everyday language. Representative is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while councilor is less common and is mostly used in local government contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between councilor and representative?
Both councilor and representative are used in formal contexts, but councilor may be slightly more formal due to its association with local government and councils.