Representive vs. Representative — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
"Representive" is a common misspelling; the correct term is "representative," meaning someone who stands in for or speaks for others.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Representive or Representative
How to spell Representative?
Representive
Incorrect Spelling
Representative
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Recall the "-ative" ending common in English, such as in "narrative" or "decorative."
"Representative" contains the full word "represent."
Link the word with politics: legislators are "representatives," not "representives."
"Representative" has the same number of syllables as "administrator."
Remember "represent" + "ative."
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How Do You Spell Representative Correctly?
Incorrect: He was elected as the student body representive.
Correct: He was elected as the student body representative.
Incorrect: She is a representive of the new marketing firm.
Correct: She is a representative of the new marketing firm.
Incorrect: Please send a representive to discuss the contract details.
Correct: Please send a representative to discuss the contract details.
Incorrect: Our representive will attend the conference next month.
Correct: Our representative will attend the conference next month.
Incorrect: The company's representive responded to our complaints.
Correct: The company's representative responded to our complaints.
Representative Definitions
Representative: A person elected to act on behalf of others.
She is the representative for our district in Congress.
Representative: A sales agent or business delegate.
The company sent a representative to the trade show.
One that serves as an example or type for others of the same classification.
One that serves as a delegate or agent for another.
A member of a governmental body, usually legislative, chosen by popular vote.
A member of the US House of Representatives or of the lower house of a state legislature.
Representing, depicting, or portraying or able to do so.
Authorized to act as an official delegate or agent.
Of or characteristic of government by representation.
Like or typical of others of the same class.
Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
Representing, showing a likeness.
Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?
The representative faculty of the human imagination
A delegate.
Someone who represents others as a member of a legislative or governing body.
She served four terms as representative of her local at the national union convention.
One who speaks for or acts on behalf of another in a particular (especially official) capacity.
I will send a representative to work out the details of the contract.
(legal) An heir.
Specifically, a member of the United States House of Representatives.
All representatives face re-election every two years.
A company agent who visits potential purchasers; a salesman.
Something standing for something else.
Something representing or standing for another; a symbol, an embodiment.
A member of a particular class.
A substitute or analogue.
Fitted to represent; exhibiting a similitude.
Bearing the character or power of another; acting for another or others; as, a council representative of the people.
Conducted by persons chosen to represent, or act as deputies for, the people; as, a representative government.
Serving or fitted to present the full characters of the type of a group; typical; as, a representative genus in a family.
Giving, or existing as, a transcript of what was originally presentative knowledge; as, representative faculties; representative knowledge. See Presentative, 3 and Represent, 8.
One who, or that which, represents (anything); that which exhibits a likeness or similitude.
A statute of Rumor, whispering an idiot in the ear, who was the representative of Credulity.
Difficulty must cumber this doctrine which supposes that the perfections of God are the representatives to us of whatever we perceive in the creatures.
An agent, deputy, or substitute, who supplies the place of another, or others, being invested with his or their authority.
One who represents, or stands in the place of, another.
A member of the lower or popular house in a State legislature, or in the national Congress.
That which presents the full character of the type of a group.
A person who represents others
An advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose;
The meeting was attended by spokespersons for all the major organs of government
A member of the United States House of Representatives
An item of information that is representative of a type;
This patient provides a typical example of the syndrome
There is an example on page 10
Serving to represent or typify;
Representative moviegoers
A representative modern play
Standing for something else;
The bald eagle is representative of the United States
Being or characteristic of government by representation in which citizens exercise power through elected officers and representatives;
Representative government as defined by Abraham Lincoln is government of the people, by the people, for the people
Representative: Indicative of a class or group.
This sample is representative of the whole batch.
Representative: Serving to depict or portray.
The sculpture was representative of the artist's early style.
Representative: Being a typical example of something.
These results are representative of our findings.
Representative Meaning in a Sentence
She was chosen as the representative for the debate competition.
The sales representative explained the features of the product.
A customer service representative will assist you shortly.
The union representatives are negotiating for better wages.
Please contact our representative for more information.
The brand ambassador is a representative of the company's values.
Our representative in Congress voted for the bill.
The artist's work is representative of the modern art movement.
The lawyer acted as their representative in court.
They appointed a new representative to the board.
Our representative will handle all inquiries.
He is a representative figure in contemporary literature.
Their behavior is not representative of the entire group.
He is our representative in the trade negotiations.
An elected representative must serve the interests of their constituents.
A representative sample of the population was surveyed.
The building is representative of the architectural style of that era.
As a representative, he speaks on behalf of the community.
The teacher's representative attended the district meeting.
The graph is representative of the study's findings.
A wildlife representative spoke about conservation efforts.
A cultural representative discussed the importance of traditions.
The representative democracy allows citizens to elect their leaders.
The company's representative office is located downtown.
A representative committee was formed to plan the event.
Representative Idioms & Phrases
Representative democracy
A form of democracy where elected officials represent a group of people.
The country operates under a system of representative democracy.
Acting as a representative
Serving in the capacity or role of a delegate or agent for someone else.
While negotiating the deal, he was acting as a representative of the company.
A true representative
Someone who accurately embodies or represents a group.
She is a true representative of the community's aspirations.
Be representative of
To be a typical example of something.
The sample is representative of the wider population.
The people's representative
An elected official who represents the interests of the public.
As the people's representative, it's her duty to listen to her constituents.
Not representative of
Not accurately reflecting or depicting the whole.
The extreme opinions expressed are not representative of the community as a whole.
A representative sample
A small group or quantity that accurately reflects the larger entity.
Researchers selected a representative sample for the study.
Send a representative
To dispatch someone to act on behalf of oneself or a group.
The company will send a representative to the international conference.
Representative body
A group of individuals elected or appointed to act or speak on behalf of others.
The council is a representative body of the local government.
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of representative?
"Represent."
What is the verb form of representative?
"Represent."
Why is it called representative?
It stems from "represent," meaning to stand in place for someone or something.
What is the plural form of representative?
"Representatives."
What is the pronunciation of representative?
/ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/.
Which conjunction is used with representative?
Standard conjunctions can be used, like "and" or "but."
Which vowel is used before representative?
The letter "a" as in "a representative."
Which preposition is used with representative?
"Of" as in "representative of."
Is representative an adverb?
No.
What is the singular form of representative?
"Representative."
Is representative a collective noun?
No.
Is the representative term a metaphor?
Not inherently, but it can be used metaphorically.
Is the word representative imperative?
No.
Which article is used with representative?
"A" as in "a representative."
Is representative a noun or adjective?
It can be both a noun and an adjective.
How many syllables are in representative?
Five syllables.
How do we divide representative into syllables?
rep-re-sent-a-tive.
What is another term for representative?
Delegate or proxy.
Is representative a vowel or consonant?
"Representative" is a word containing both vowels and consonants.
Is representative a countable noun?
Yes.
What is a stressed syllable in representative?
The third syllable, "sen."
What is the opposite of representative?
Non-representative or unrepresentative.
Which determiner is used with representative?
Any standard determiner based on context, e.g., "this," "that," "my."
What is the first form of representative?
Not applicable for verb forms.
What is the second form of representative?
Not applicable.
What is the third form of representative?
Not applicable.
How is representative used in a sentence?
"She was chosen as the representative for the student body."
Is representative an abstract noun?
In some contexts, like representing ideas or qualities, it can be abstract.
Is representative a negative or positive word?
It is neutral.
What part of speech is representative?
Noun and adjective.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
