a certain candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific candidate without naming them directly, often in discussions about elections or selections. Example: "During the debate, a certain candidate made a compelling argument about healthcare reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Read on... Today's Des Moines Register ran this story of average Iowans and why they are choosing a certain candidate.

The Guardian

Former Gov. Tony Knowles, a Democrat forced by term limits to give up the governorship last fall after eight years, sounds like a certain candidate.

The New York Times

The polling station was full of people pressuring voters to cast their ballots for a certain candidate; Ayesha and others recorded videos and posted them on the Internet.

The New Yorker

"Let Syria and its allies agree on a certain candidate, and we will agree on a candidate and go to Parliament".

The New York Times

"Whether they intended to interfere to the degree that they were trying to elect a certain candidate, I think that's a subject of investigation.

The New Yorker

Official support, whether diplomatic or political, for a certain candidate has no bearing on the award process because the prize awarders, as such, are independent of the state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

This sort of pattern raises red flags: Federal law bars employers from reimbursing employees for giving to a certain candidate-a method employers could use to evade limits on their own giving.

Huffington Post

Ms. Quinn, an almost certain candidate for mayor in 2013, was delivering a proclamation of support to Noam Shalit, father of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped in June 2006, at the age of 19.

The New York Times

If the sampling-projecting procedure fails to find a stabilizing controller, certain candidate controllers are then locally optimized by means of an iterative method of nonsmooth optimization.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

This approach to media relations seemed reminiscent of a certain Presidential candidate, and perhaps that candidate took note: on Monday, the Donald Trump campaign announced that it had hired Steven Cheung, who happens to be a former publicist for the U.F.C.

The New Yorker

That is, once fixating a certain object candidate, they measure all information about this candidate regardless of the task.

Cognitive Computation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain candidate" when you want to refer to a specific candidate without explicitly naming them, maintaining a level of discretion or generality.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain candidate" excessively in formal documents where specificity is preferred. If the candidate's name is known and relevant, it is better to use it directly for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain candidate" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "candidate". It introduces a level of generality or indirectness when referring to a specific individual, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain candidate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to refer to a specific but unnamed candidate, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with neutral formality. When writing, use it when you want to be discreet or general. Alternative phrases like ""a particular candidate"" or ""a specific candidate"" can provide similar meanings, but consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid overuse in formal contexts where specificity is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular candidate

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing specificity without naming.

a specific candidate

Uses "specific" instead of "certain" for greater emphasis on the identified person.

one candidate in particular

Rearranges the sentence to emphasize the candidate being singled out.

a given candidate

Employs "given" to suggest the candidate is pre-determined or under consideration.

a designated candidate

Indicates that the candidate has been officially chosen or appointed.

that one candidate

Uses "that one" for a more direct but still indirect reference.

an unnamed candidate

Highlights the lack of a name being mentioned.

a candidate in question

Suggests the candidate is currently being discussed or investigated.

a hypothetical candidate

Positions the candidate as theoretical or speculative.

a prospective candidate

Refers to someone who is likely or expected to become a candidate.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain candidate" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain candidate" to refer to a specific person running for an office without explicitly naming them. For example, "During the debate, "a certain candidate" proposed a new economic policy."

What are some alternatives to "a certain candidate"?

Alternatives include "a particular candidate", "a specific candidate", or "one candidate in particular". The best choice depends on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a certain candidate" or name the candidate directly?

It depends on the situation. If you want to maintain some anonymity or generality, "a certain candidate" is appropriate. If specificity is required, naming the candidate is better.

What's the difference between "a certain candidate" and "a prospective candidate"?

"A certain candidate" refers to someone already running, while "a prospective candidate" refers to someone who is likely or expected to run but hasn't officially entered the race.