committee - Master This Word

committee Word Meanings

• a group of people chosen to make decisions or give advice
• a board or panel organized for a specific purpose
• a legislative assembly responsible for examining and recommending legislation

committee Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• The committee will meet tomorrow.
• She is a member of the art committee.
• The committee chose the best idea.
• They had a big discussion in the committee.
• The committee made a new plan.

committee Word Etymology

com- = together + mittere = send; Latin → Old French → English: The word 'committee' conjures the image of people gathering together to send their thoughts and ideas forward, like a group passing a baton in a relay race.

English Brain Route

Hands on the table, I move the chair closer and set the meeting notes in front of me. We pull ideas into the center, shifting the talk from solo notes to a shared plan. The pressure of time makes me adjust my pace and listen, keeping my eyes on the thread of the discussion. When the group finds a path forward, the word committee feels like a small orchestra where a few voices lead and many thoughts keep the beat.

Real Context

A committee is a group of people chosen to make decisions or give advice. It can be a temporary task force or a standing body within an organization. The word emphasizes collective discussion, deliberation, and reporting back, rather than solo action. In many contexts, a committee examines issues, collects information, and prepares recommendations for a larger group to approve. The noun often collocates with verbs like form, establish, chair, dissolve, or oversee, and you’ll hear phrases such as committee members, committee meetings, and the committee’s report. Understanding the distinction between committee, board, and panel helps English learners choose the right word for governance or advisory roles.

Usage Reminders

• Use the singular verb with 'the committee' when it acts as a unit. Do not say 'the committees is' or 'a committee are'. Distinguish between committee, board, and panel. Say 'form a committee' and 'chair the committee'. Refer to 'committee members' rather than 'committee'. Use 'committee report' or 'the committee’s report'. Common collocations include 'establish a committee', 'dismiss a committee', and 'the committee meets'.

Common Misconceptions

• A committee is just one person by another name.
• A committee always lasts forever.
• All committees have the same powers as a board.
• Being on a committee means you can make all decisions alone.
• A committee is the same as a panel.

Thinking Differences

In English, committee emphasizes a formal group with deliberation and reporting. Learners often treat it as a board with equal power, or mix it up with panel or commission. English uses countable plural forms for committees (committees) but treats the unit as singular when acting. A native speaker might say 'the committee meets' or 'the committee recommends' rather than implying each member acts alone.

Learning Tips

• Learn common collocations: form a committee, chair a committee, committee meeting, committee report.
• Differentiate 'committee' from 'board' (governing vs advisory roles).
• Use 'the committee' for a known group, and 'a committee' for a new or informal group.
• Pair with members: 'committee members', 'the chair of the committee'.
• Be careful with plural: committees (plural) vs the collective unit (singular).
• Practice reporting language: 'The committee recommends', 'The committee approved'.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

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