a candidate who

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a candidate who" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific individual being considered for a position or role, often followed by a description of their qualifications or characteristics. Example: "We are looking for a candidate who has strong leadership skills and relevant experience in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A candidate who wanted to win, what do you mean?

The New York Times

Chong says he's looking for a candidate who has the most compassion for others.

Los Angeles Times

They want a candidate who can win.

The Economist

A candidate who sometimes will say anything or a candidate who sometimes seems to know nothing?

The New York Times

Plenty applaud a candidate who seems so straightforward, too.

The Economist

Only a candidate who knows he will not win.

The Economist

Looking for a candidate who is "off the charts"?

The New York Times

She's a candidate who is running a populist campaign.

The New York Times

But she's a candidate who just says no.

The New York Times

Selecting a candidate who supported the war against a candidate who opposed it would send the wrong signal to Londoners.

The Guardian

They're covering a candidate who has won 11 straight primaries".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a candidate who", ensure that the following clause provides essential information for understanding the type of candidate being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using overly general or vague descriptions after "a candidate who". Be specific about the skills, experiences, or attributes that are important. For example, instead of "a candidate who is good at their job", say "a candidate who has five years of experience in project management".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a candidate who" functions as a determiner phrase introducing a relative clause. It specifies a particular individual being considered for a role or position, followed by a description of their attributes or qualifications. Ludwig confirms its validity through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a candidate who" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for specifying qualifications or attributes of a person being considered for a position. As Ludwig confirms, it is used across diverse contexts like news, academia, and business, with a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subsequent description is specific and relevant to avoid vagueness. Common alternatives include "an applicant that" or "a nominee that", depending on the context. "A candidate who" serves to clearly define the desired qualities or requirements for a particular role, aiding in effective communication about selection criteria.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a nominee that

Uses "nominee" to emphasize the formal selection process and "that" instead of "who."

an applicant that

Replaces "candidate" with "applicant" to focus on the application process, using "that" as the relative pronoun.

a contender that

Emphasizes the competitive aspect, using "contender" and replacing "who" with "that."

an individual aspiring to

Focuses on the person's ambition and goal, rephrasing the sentence structure.

a person seeking election that

Specifies the election context, using "person seeking election" and "that".

a prospect who

Replaces "candidate" with "prospect," indicating potential but not certainty.

someone vying for

Highlights the competitive aspect of seeking a position.

a possible selectee who

Emphasizes the selection process and the possibility of being chosen, using "selectee."

a potential officeholder who

Focuses on the role the person might assume, using "officeholder."

an aspirant who

Uses a more formal term, "aspirant", to describe someone with ambitions for a role.

FAQs

How do I use "a candidate who" in a sentence?

Use "a candidate who" to introduce a relative clause that specifies a particular quality or characteristic of the candidate. For example, "We are looking for "a candidate who" possesses strong leadership skills".

What are some alternatives to "a candidate who"?

Alternatives include "an applicant that", "a nominee that", or "a contender that", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "who" or "that" after "a candidate"?

While both "who" and "that" can be used, "who" is generally preferred when referring to people, especially in more formal writing. Using "that" is grammatically correct but can sound less personal.

What's the difference between "a candidate who" and "an ideal candidate"?

"A candidate who" introduces a specific requirement or attribute. "An ideal candidate" describes someone who meets all or most of the desired qualifications, representing a perfect fit.