Meaning & use
direct representation
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Meanings
noununcountableformal
A system in which people are represented by someone who speaks for them directly, without a go-between.
Grammar: Usually uncountable: the group wanted direct representation in parliament.
Patterns
- direct representation in something
- direct representation of someone
The colonists demanded direct representation in the national assembly.
Small shareholders asked for direct representation on the board.
Direct representation gives each region a voice of its own.
noununcountablebusinesslegal
In business and law, dealing with a client or customer yourself instead of through an agent or intermediary.
Grammar: Often contrasted with representation through an agent.
Patterns
- offer direct representation
- provide direct representation
The firm offers direct representation, so clients speak to a lawyer from the start.
The artist chose direct representation instead of hiring an agent.
Common combinations
- demand direct representation
- The towns demanded direct representation in the legislature.
- seek direct representation
- Workers sought direct representation on the committee.
- provide direct representation
- The clinic provides direct representation to tenants in court.
- direct representation of voters
- The system favors direct representation of voters.
- lack direct representation
- The islanders lack direct representation in the capital.
Synonyms and how they differ
- representation
- Representation alone is broader and does not say whether there is a middleman, while direct representation stresses that there is none.
- direct democracy
- Direct democracy means citizens vote on issues themselves, whereas direct representation means a person speaks for them without an intermediary.
- advocacy
- Advocacy means speaking up for a cause or person, but need not involve a formal arrangement.
Opposites
Word family
- represent verb
- to speak or act for someone
- representative noun
- a person who speaks for others
- representation noun
- the act of speaking or acting for others
- direct adjective
- without anyone or anything in between
Commonly confused: direct representation or direct democracy?
direct representation vs direct democracy
In direct democracy citizens decide issues by their own vote, while in direct representation they are still represented by someone.
Practice
The remote district complained that it had no ___ in the national parliament.
Choose one answer.
Direct representation means having someone who speaks for you. Direct democracy means voting on issues yourself, which is a different idea.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “direct representation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.