coalition
coalition in 30 Sekunden
- A coalition is a temporary alliance of different groups working together for a specific goal, common in politics and international relations.
- It differs from a permanent merger because members keep their separate identities and the union usually ends once the goal is met.
- Key verbs associated with it include 'form', 'build', 'join', and 'collapse', reflecting its often strategic and sometimes fragile nature.
- Commonly heard in news regarding 'coalition governments' where multiple parties share power to achieve a majority in parliament.
The term coalition describes a specific type of union where different entities—often political parties, nations, or interest groups—agree to work together for a limited time to achieve a shared objective. Unlike a permanent merger, a coalition is usually a marriage of convenience. It exists because no single group has enough power or resources to succeed alone. In the world of politics, this often happens when no single party wins a majority of seats in a parliament, forcing them to join forces with rivals to form a government.
- Political Context
- A temporary alliance of distinct parties that join to form a government or to exercise power.
- Military Context
- An alliance of nations for joint action, often seen in international peacekeeping or conflict.
- Social Context
- A collection of community groups working together to solve a local issue like pollution or crime.
"The two rival parties formed a coalition to ensure the new environmental bill would pass through the senate."
To understand a coalition, imagine three different groups of students in a school. One group wants a new playground, another wants better cafeteria food, and the third wants a longer recess. Individually, the principal ignores them. However, they form a coalition, agreeing to support each other's demands. Together, they represent the whole school, and the principal must listen. This is the essence of 'strength in numbers' that defines the word. It is derived from the Latin 'coalitus', meaning 'growing together', which perfectly captures the organic yet structured nature of these groups.
"The international coalition against climate change includes over 100 countries."
In business, a coalition might look like several small tech companies joining forces to set a new industry standard. They remain competitors in the market, but they cooperate on this specific technical goal to prevent a larger monopoly from dominating the field. This nuance is vital: members of a coalition do not have to like each other; they only need to need each other. This creates a dynamic of 'fragile unity' where negotiations are constant and internal disagreements are common.
"Building a broad coalition of voters is essential for any candidate seeking national office."
- Grand Coalition
- A coalition between the two largest opposing political parties.
- Rainbow Coalition
- A group made up of people from many different races, religions, and backgrounds.
"The coalition government collapsed after the junior partner withdrew its support over tax reforms."
Using the word coalition correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior and its typical partners (collocations). As a noun, it can be the subject of a sentence ('The coalition decided...') or the object ('They formed a coalition'). It is almost always followed by the preposition 'of' to describe its members, or 'between/among' to describe the relationship.
"A coalition of non-profits is lobbying for the new housing law."
When you use 'coalition' in a sentence, you are highlighting the collaborative nature of the action. You wouldn't use it for a single person or a single unified company. You use it when you want to emphasize that different, separate parts have come together. Common verbs used with coalition include: form, build, join, lead, dissolve, and collapse. Because coalitions are often fragile, verbs like 'collapse' or 'break up' are very frequent in news reports.
- Verb: Form/Build
- To create the alliance. 'They are trying to build a coalition of support.'
- Verb: Collapse/Fracture
- To break apart. 'The coalition fractured after the budget disagreement.'
Adjectives also play a huge role in modifying the meaning. A 'broad coalition' implies many different types of members. A 'fragile coalition' suggests it might break at any moment. A 'ruling coalition' refers to the groups currently in power. In academic writing, you might see 'ad hoc coalition,' which means a group formed for one specific, immediate purpose and nothing else.
"The coalition forces were composed of troops from five different nations."
In a professional setting, you might use 'coalition' to describe a cross-departmental team. For example: 'We need to form a coalition between Marketing, Sales, and Product to launch this feature.' This sounds more formal and strategic than just saying 'a team.' It implies that these departments have different interests but are aligning for a specific goal. This usage elevates the register of your speech or writing.
"The environmental coalition published a joint statement today."
You will encounter coalition most frequently in news broadcasts, political analysis, and history books. If you watch the BBC or CNN, you will hear it during election cycles. In many European countries, like Germany or the Netherlands, 'coalition governments' are the norm rather than the exception. Reporters will discuss 'coalition talks' which are the long negotiations that happen after an election to see which parties can work together.
"The news reported that coalition negotiations have entered their third week."
In international relations, the term is used for global efforts. You might hear about a 'coalition of the willing,' a term famously used in the early 2000s to describe countries supporting a specific military intervention. It also appears in environmental news, such as the 'High Ambition Coalition' in UN climate talks. This highlights that the word is used for high-stakes, large-scale cooperation.
- Political News
- 'The Prime Minister is struggling to keep his coalition together.'
- Global Health
- 'A global coalition was formed to distribute vaccines to developing nations.'
In social activism, 'coalition building' is a standard phrase. Activists talk about building a coalition between labor unions and environmentalists. This is a common theme in documentaries and podcasts about social change. The word carries a sense of strategic planning and collective power. It suggests that the groups involved are being smart by putting aside small differences to fight for a bigger cause.
"The coalition of local businesses successfully campaigned for the new transit line."
One of the most common mistakes is confusing coalition with alliance or partnership. While they are similar, a coalition is usually more temporary and goal-specific. An alliance (like NATO) can last for decades and covers many areas. A partnership often refers to just two people or two companies. Using 'coalition' for a simple friendship or a two-person project might sound too formal or slightly 'off'.
"Incorrect: Me and my friend formed a coalition to do our homework. (Too formal)"
Another mistake is spelling. People often forget the 'i' after the 'l' or the 'a' after the 'o'. Remember the root 'co-' (together) and '-alition' (like 'addition' or 'position'). Pronunciation can also be tricky; it is koh-uh-LISH-un. Some learners accidentally say koh-LAY-shun, which is incorrect.
- Spelling Trap
- Don't write 'colition' or 'coalision'. It is 'coalition'.
- Usage Trap
- Don't use it for permanent mergers. If two companies become one, it's a 'merger', not a 'coalition'.
Finally, be careful with the plural. 'Coalitions' is correct, but since a coalition is already a group, you usually only use the plural when talking about multiple different alliances. For example, 'The various coalitions in the parliament are constantly shifting.' If you are talking about one group, keep it singular even if it has many members.
"The coalition (singular) consists of ten different organizations."
To truly master coalition, you should understand how it sits among its synonyms. The closest word is alliance. An alliance is often more formal and long-term, frequently used in military or international contexts. Bloc is another similar word, usually referring to a group of countries or parties that vote the same way (e.g., 'the Eastern bloc' or 'a voting bloc').
- Alliance
- More permanent and formal (e.g., NATO).
- Bloc
- A group that acts as a single unit in voting or trade.
- Federation
- A more integrated and permanent union of states or organizations.
"While the coalition was for the election only, the alliance was meant to last for years."
Consortium is a word often used in business or finance. It refers to a group of companies or banks that join together for a very large project, like building a bridge or a satellite. League is another synonym, often sounding a bit more old-fashioned or sports-related (like the 'League of Nations' or 'The Ivy League'). Union implies a much stronger, often permanent bond, like a labor union or the European Union.
In contrast, words like faction or sect refer to groups within a larger organization that might disagree with the main group. A coalition is about bringing different groups together, whereas a faction is about a group splitting off. Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the precise word for your context.
"The coalition brought together various factions that had previously been at odds."
How Formal Is It?
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Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Beispiele nach Niveau
The two teams formed a coalition for the game.
Las dos equipos formaron una coalición para el juego.
Noun as subject.
They need a coalition to win.
Necesitan una coalición para ganar.
Direct object.
Is this a coalition?
¿Es esto una coalición?
Simple question.
The coalition is very big.
La coalición es muy grande.
Subject-complement.
We work in a coalition.
Trabajamos en una coalición.
Prepositional phrase.
A coalition of friends helped me.
Una coalición de amigos me ayudó.
Collective noun phrase.
The coalition ended today.
La coalición terminó hoy.
Past tense verb.
Join our coalition!
¡Únete a nuestra coalición!
Imperative mood.
The political parties formed a coalition after the election.
Los partidos políticos formaron una coalición después de las elecciones.
Time phrase 'after the election'.
A coalition of schools is planning a big event.
Una coalición de escuelas está planeando un gran evento.
Present continuous 'is planning'.
They built a coalition to protect the park.
Construyeron una coalición para proteger el parque.
Infinitive of purpose 'to protect'.
The coalition was not very strong.
La coalición no era muy fuerte.
Negative statement.
How many groups are in the coalition?
¿Cuántos grupos hay en la coalición?
Interrogative with 'how many'.
The coalition made a joint statement.
La coalición hizo una declaración conjunta.
Compound noun 'joint statement'.
It is hard to keep a coalition together.
Es difícil mantener unida una coalición.
Dummy subject 'It'.
The coalition helped the city.
La coalición ayudó a la ciudad.
Simple past.
The prime minister leads a coalition of three parties.
El primer ministro lidera una coalición de tres partidos.
Third person singular 'leads'.
Without a coalition, they cannot pass the new law.
Sin una coalición, no pueden aprobar la nueva ley.
Conditional meaning with 'Without'.
The environmental coalition is lobbying the government.
La coalición ambiental está presionando al gobierno.
Specific adjective 'environmental'.
A broad coalition of voters supported the candidate.
Una amplia coalición de votantes apoyó al candidato.
Adjective 'broad' modifying coalition.
The coalition fractured over the budget dispute.
La coalición se fracturó por la disputa presupuestaria.
Intransitive use of 'fractured'.
They are trying to form a coalition against the monopoly.
Están intentando formar una coalición contra el monopolio.
Preposition 'against'.
The coalition's success surprised everyone.
El éxito de la coalición sorprendió a todos.
Possessive form 'coalition's'.
He resigned from the coalition last night.
Él renunció a la coalición anoche.
Preposition 'from'.
The ruling coalition faces a difficult vote tomorrow.
La coalición gobernante se enfrenta a una votación difícil mañana.
Participle 'ruling' as adjective.
Building a coalition requires significant compromise from all sides.
Construir una coalición requiere un compromiso significativo de todas las partes.
Gerund 'Building' as subject.
The international coalition was formed to address the crisis.
La coalición internacional se formó para abordar la crisis.
Passive voice 'was formed'.
A fragile coalition is currently holding power in the country.
Una coalición frágil tiene actualmente el poder en el país.
Adjective 'fragile'.
The coalition agreement was signed after weeks of negotiation.
El acuerdo de coalición se firmó tras semanas de negociación.
Noun adjunct 'coalition agreement'.
The various groups joined a coalition to increase their influence.
Los diversos grupos se unieron a una coalición para aumentar su influencia.
Infinitive of purpose.
The coalition collapsed when the main partner withdrew.
La coalición colapsó cuando el socio principal se retiró.
Complex sentence with 'when' clause.
They formed an ad hoc coalition to solve the immediate problem.
Formaron una coalición ad hoc para resolver el problema inmediato.
Latin phrase 'ad hoc' used as adjective.
The efficacy of the coalition depends on the alignment of its members' interests.
La eficacia de la coalición depende de la alineación de los intereses de sus miembros.
Abstract noun 'efficacy'.
A broad-based coalition is essential for implementing systemic social change.
Una coalición de base amplia es esencial para implementar un cambio social sistémico.
Compound adjective 'broad-based'.
The coalition's mandate was limited to the duration of the conflict.
El mandato de la coalición se limitó a la duración del conflicto.
Noun 'mandate'.
Internal tensions within the coalition began to surface during the summit.
Las tensiones internas dentro de la coalición comenzaron a aflorar durante la cumbre.
Prepositional phrase 'within the coalition'.
The coalition leveraged its collective resources to influence the global market.
La coalición aprovechó sus recursos colectivos para influir en el mercado global.
Verb 'leveraged'.
Forming a coalition of the willing proved more difficult than anticipated.
Formar una coalición de los dispuestos resultó más difícil de lo previsto.
Idiomatic phrase 'coalition of the willing'.
The coalition acted as a bulwark against the rising tide of extremism.
La coalición actuó como un baluarte contra la creciente marea de extremismo.
Metaphorical use of 'bulwark'.
The disintegration of the coalition led to a period of political instability.
La desintegración de la coalición condujo a un período de inestabilidad política.
Noun 'disintegration'.
The nascent coalition is still navigating the complexities of power-sharing.
La naciente coalición aún está navegando por las complejidades del reparto de poder.
Adjective 'nascent'.
A grand coalition was orchestrated to prevent a constitutional crisis.
Se orquestó una gran coalición para evitar una crisis constitucional.
Verb 'orchestrated'.
The coalition's platform was a patchwork of disparate ideological goals.
La plataforma de la coalición era un mosaico de objetivos ideológicos dispares.
Metaphor 'patchwork'.
The fragility of the coalition was exacerbated by the leader's controversial remarks.
La fragilidad de la coalición se vio exacerbada por los controvertidos comentarios del líder.
Verb 'exacerbated'.
They sought to forge a coalition that transcended traditional partisan boundaries.
Buscaron forjar una coalición que trascendiera las fronteras partidistas tradicionales.
Verb 'transcended'.
The coalition's cohesive strategy was instrumental in achieving the breakthrough.
La estrategia cohesiva de la coalición fue fundamental para lograr el avance.
Adjective 'instrumental'.
The shifting sands of international coalitions make long-term planning difficult.
Las arenas movedizas de las coaliciones internacionales dificultan la planificación a largo plazo.
Idiom 'shifting sands'.
The coalition was essentially a tactical alignment rather than a strategic union.
La coalición era esencialmente una alineación táctica más que una unión estratégica.
Adverb 'essentially'.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
coalition of the willing
rainbow coalition
cross-party coalition
military coalition
environmental coalition
loose coalition
unlikely coalition
governing coalition
coalition building
break the coalition
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
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Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
Coalition vs. Alliance: Coalitions are usually more ad-hoc and goal-oriented.
High in political and academic texts; medium in daily conversation.
Generally neutral, but can be negative if described as 'unholy' or 'fragile'.
- Using 'coalition' for a permanent merger.
- Spelling it as 'coalision'.
- Confusing 'coalition' with 'collision'.
- Using it for a two-person friendship.
- Forgetting the 'of' after the noun.
Tipps
Use for Diversity
Use 'coalition' when you want to highlight that the members are very different from each other. It emphasizes the 'coming together' of diverse interests.
Agreement
In American English, treat 'coalition' as singular: 'The coalition is...'. In British English, you can use plural: 'The coalition are...'. Both are understood.
Pair with 'Forge'
The verb 'forge' (as in 'forge a coalition') is very common and sounds very professional. It suggests that the alliance took hard work to create.
The 'i' Rule
Don't forget the 'i' before the 't'. It's not 'coalition', it's 'co-al-i-tion'. Pronouncing it slowly helps you remember the spelling.
International News
When reading about international news, 'coalition' almost always refers to countries joining for a military or environmental goal.
Strategic Use
In business, use 'coalition' to describe a partnership that is bigger than a simple 'deal' but smaller than a 'merger'.
Stress the Third Syllable
The stress is on 'LISH': co-a-LISH-un. Practice this to sound more natural when discussing politics.
Adjective Variety
Don't just say 'a coalition'. Use adjectives like 'broad', 'fragile', 'ruling', or 'unlikely' to give more detail to your writing.
Temporary Nature
Always remember that a coalition is usually temporary. If you are describing a permanent group, use 'organization' or 'union' instead.
Common Ground
When talking about coalitions, focus on the 'common ground'. That is the single goal that keeps the different members together.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
Latin
Kultureller Kontext
The 'Coalitions' against Napoleon are a famous historical example of the word in action.
The term 'coalition building' is a core strategy in grassroots activism.
Coalitions are essential in multi-party systems to ensure a majority.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"Do you think coalition governments are more stable than single-party ones?"
"Have you ever seen a coalition of local groups change something in your city?"
"What are the pros and cons of forming a coalition in business?"
"Why do you think coalitions often break apart so quickly?"
"Can you name a famous international coalition from history?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe a time you had to form a 'coalition' with people you didn't necessarily like to get a job done.
If you were starting a social movement, which groups would you want in your coalition?
Analyze a recent news story involving a coalition. What is their main goal?
Write about the difficulties of keeping a diverse group of people focused on one objective.
How does the idea of a coalition relate to the concept of 'compromise'?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenA coalition government is a form of government in which multiple political parties cooperate, reducing the dominance of any one party within that coalition. The usual reason for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament. This requires parties to negotiate and agree on a common policy platform. Such governments are common in many European democracies. They can be stable, but they are often more prone to internal conflict than single-party governments.
No, a coalition is typically temporary. It is formed for a specific purpose, such as winning an election, passing a law, or responding to a crisis. Once the goal is achieved or the members can no longer agree, the coalition usually dissolves. This distinguishes it from a merger, which is a permanent joining of two entities into one. In politics, coalitions often last for the duration of a parliamentary term.
Yes, individuals can form a coalition, though the term is more common for groups. For example, several independent activists or politicians might form a coalition to support a specific cause. In a workplace, a coalition of employees might join together to ask for better working conditions. The key is that separate individuals are aligning their efforts for a shared outcome.
This phrase refers to a group of nations that agree to participate in a specific international action, usually military or diplomatic, without necessarily having the formal backing of a body like the UN Security Council. It implies that the members are choosing to participate because they agree with the goal, rather than because of a pre-existing treaty obligation. It was famously used during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
A grand coalition is a specific type of political alliance between the two largest opposing parties in a parliament. This usually happens during times of national crisis or when no other combination of parties can form a majority. It is called 'grand' because it represents a very large percentage of the voters, but it can be difficult to manage because the parties usually have very different ideologies.
It is spelled C-O-A-L-I-T-I-O-N. A common mistake is to forget the 'i' after the 'l'. Think of the word 'coal' and then add 'ition' (like 'addition').
The word itself is neutral. It simply describes a structural arrangement. However, the context can make it sound positive (e.g., 'a coalition for peace') or negative (e.g., 'a fragile coalition' or 'a coalition of extremists'). In politics, supporters see it as a sign of cooperation, while critics might see it as a sign of weakness or compromise.
Coalition building is the process of recruiting and uniting different groups or individuals to work toward a common goal. It involves negotiation, finding common ground, and creating a shared strategy. It is a vital skill in politics, business, and community organizing. Successful coalition building requires strong communication and the ability to manage diverse interests.
While most political and social coalitions are public, 'secret coalitions' or 'clandestine alliances' can exist in business or international espionage. However, the term 'coalition' usually implies a somewhat formal or recognized agreement. If it's completely secret, it might be called a 'conspiracy' or a 'pact'.
There isn't one single word, but 'disunity', 'separation', or 'opposition' can be opposites. If a coalition breaks apart, it is said to 'fracture' or 'disintegrate'. In a political sense, the opposite of a coalition government is a 'majority government' (where one party has all the power) or a 'minority government' (where one party leads without a formal alliance).
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Summary
A coalition is a strategic, temporary partnership where diverse groups unite to achieve a goal they couldn't reach alone, maintaining their independence while cooperating on a shared agenda.
- A coalition is a temporary alliance of different groups working together for a specific goal, common in politics and international relations.
- It differs from a permanent merger because members keep their separate identities and the union usually ends once the goal is met.
- Key verbs associated with it include 'form', 'build', 'join', and 'collapse', reflecting its often strategic and sometimes fragile nature.
- Commonly heard in news regarding 'coalition governments' where multiple parties share power to achieve a majority in parliament.
Use for Diversity
Use 'coalition' when you want to highlight that the members are very different from each other. It emphasizes the 'coming together' of diverse interests.
Agreement
In American English, treat 'coalition' as singular: 'The coalition is...'. In British English, you can use plural: 'The coalition are...'. Both are understood.
Pair with 'Forge'
The verb 'forge' (as in 'forge a coalition') is very common and sounds very professional. It suggests that the alliance took hard work to create.
The 'i' Rule
Don't forget the 'i' before the 't'. It's not 'coalition', it's 'co-al-i-tion'. Pronouncing it slowly helps you remember the spelling.
Beispiel
The two smaller parties formed a coalition to gain a majority.
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