[mesmark]

'what's the difference in usage of choose and elect?'
again from my students who teaches at a college in Tokyo.

[Saskia]

Quote mesmark

'what's the difference in usage of choose and elect?'
again from my students who teaches at a college in Tokyo.

I think that "elect" is used in formal contexts, whereas "choose" is not formal. To "elect" is used especially to choose a person for a particular job/post, by voting. Also you can elect to do a particular thing (in this context the register is FORMAL). For example, when you retire you must "elect" how you want to receive your pension, in one single payment or for a period of years or for life.

"Choose" means to decide what you want from a range of things or possibilities.

So we can say that "choose" is the general word, and "elect" has a narrower scope than "choose".

Hope this helps!
Saskia

[mesmark]

Thanks! i said something similar to that. I broke the difference down to 'choose' has more of the meaning of selecting what you want. 'elect' seems more formal and less personal.

[musica]

Yes, here in Canada in high school there are some subjects that all students must take (compulsory subjects) such as English, Math and a Science etc and then they have a selection of subjects they can choose from to fill up their timetable. These subjects are called electives. Thus the students have to choose their electives. How is that for confusing to your Japanese students.