A2 noun Neutral #340 most common

committee

/kəˈmɪti/

A group of people chosen from a larger organization to consider, investigate, or take action on a specific matter. Committees are often used to make decisions or organize events in businesses, schools, and government.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The school committee organizes the annual dance every year.

The school group plans the big dance once a year.

2

The committee will present its final report to the board of directors.

The group will give their finished document to the leaders.

3

I'm on a small committee to pick the music for the wedding.

I am in a tiny group choosing the songs for the marriage party.

Word Family

Noun
committee
Verb
commit
Adjective
committeewide
Related
commitment
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Memory Tip

Remember the 2-2-2 rule: 2 M's, 2 T's, and 2 E's. It takes many people (and many double letters) to make a committee.

Quick Quiz

The ______ met yesterday to discuss the new rules for the park.

Correct!

The correct answer is: committee

Examples

1

The school committee organizes the annual dance every year.

everyday

The school group plans the big dance once a year.

2

The committee will present its final report to the board of directors.

formal

The group will give their finished document to the leaders.

3

I'm on a small committee to pick the music for the wedding.

informal

I am in a tiny group choosing the songs for the marriage party.

4

The ethics committee must approve the research before it begins.

academic

The rule-checking group needs to say yes to the study first.

5

The steering committee approved the new budget for the project.

business

The main planning group said yes to the project's spending plan.

Word Family

Noun
committee
Verb
commit
Adjective
committeewide
Related
commitment

Common Collocations

join a committee become a member of the group
chair a committee lead the group
organizing committee the group that plans an event
standing committee a permanent group
ad hoc committee a temporary group for one task

Common Phrases

sub-committee

a smaller group within a larger committee

sit on a committee

to be a member of a committee

steering committee

a group that decides the direction of a project

Often Confused With

committee vs commission

A commission is often more formal or government-appointed, while a committee can be casual or internal.

committee vs board

A board usually has the highest power in an organization, while a committee usually reports to a board.

📝

Usage Notes

In American English, it is usually treated as singular (the committee is). In British English, it can be plural (the committee are) when thinking of the individual members.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget the double letters; remember it has a double 'm', double 't', and double 'e'.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember the 2-2-2 rule: 2 M's, 2 T's, and 2 E's. It takes many people (and many double letters) to make a committee.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'committere', which means 'to join' or 'to entrust' something to someone.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: one committee, two committees Can take singular or plural verbs depending on regional English Often followed by 'on' (e.g., a committee on safety)
🌍

Cultural Context

In English-speaking business culture, 'death by committee' is a common phrase used when too many people's opinions slow down progress.

Quick Quiz

The ______ met yesterday to discuss the new rules for the park.

Correct!

The correct answer is: committee

Related Grammar Rules

Related Words

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bigeoent

C1

A bigeoent refers to a biological entity or organism whose existence and physical characteristics are fundamentally intertwined with a specific geographic environment. It is a technical term used in ecology to describe species that are strictly endemic to a particular landform or geological structure.

untangous

C1

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recelerine

C1

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hyperlocate

C1

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C1

To formally document or incorporate something into a civic, legal, or historical record. It specifically refers to the act of ensuring a concept or event is preserved within the official administrative framework of a society.

deequacy

C1

To systematically reduce the quality, sufficiency, or effectiveness of a system or process until it falls below required standards. It involves the intentional or incidental degradation of adequacy within a specific functional framework.

cojunctic

C1

A cojunctic is a specific constituent part or an individual element within a linked logical set or complex structure. In technical contexts, it refers to one of several items that are joined together to form a functional or logical whole.

homothermty

C1

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