differences - "vote" vs. "vote on"


Please tell me, what is the difference between



vote



and



vote on




Answer



"Vote" does not usually take a direct object, except in the comparatively rare case where the object is a word or phrase which your vote may be taken to express; so you can "vote 'Yes'" or "vote 'Reopen nominations'".


Normally it takes a indirect object of either of two types:



  • vote for an option ("I voted for Jones");

  • vote on a question ("I voted on the motion to close");


You can also vote in a poll or election, but I would not count that as an indirect object, but as an adjunct.


There is a more complicated construction which may be analysed in different ways: "They voted him into office". This might regarded as taking "him" as a direct object; but it is impossible without the complement "into office".


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