What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plebiscite
Example
The government called for a plebiscite to decide whether to legalize same-sex marriage. [plebiscite: noun]
Example
The plebiscite resulted in a majority vote in favor of the proposed constitutional amendment. [plebiscite: noun]
survey
Example
We conducted a survey to find out how satisfied our customers are with our products. [survey: noun]
Example
The researchers surveyed a group of college students to investigate their study habits. [surveyed: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Survey is more commonly used than plebiscite in everyday language. Survey is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while plebiscite is less common and refers specifically to a formal vote authorized by the government.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plebiscite and survey?
Plebiscite is typically associated with a formal and official tone, while survey can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.