a decent candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decent candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who meets a satisfactory level of qualifications or suitability for a position or role. Example: "After reviewing all the applications, I believe that Sarah is a decent candidate for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It would seem like the minimal act a decent candidate could undertake.

The New Yorker

Advance Auto may be a decent candidate to become another major private equity target.

The New York Times

Magglio Ordonez was a decent candidate until the White Sox fizzled.

The New York Times - Sports

Finally, nearly eight months later, we located a decent candidate who was willing to take the job, warts and all.

Harvard Business Review

As a result, even as Barack Obama has become increasingly vulnerable, the Republican establishment could not find a decent candidate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The primaries won't necessarily tell the story of whether the Democrats can do the same, but they may reveal a decent candidate here and there, and maybe even someone who can take a Republican in November, if circumstances are right.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

And if the Republicans can find a halfway decent candidate (perhaps a uniformed one) I doubt the incumbent will get a second term.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the Republicans had a halfway decent candidate, they would win.

Vice

There are a few decent candidates that people should look into and they should get out and vote.

The Guardian - Music

On some occasions, Mr Morsi has seemed to back a witch hunt against members of the former regime of Hosni Mubarak; on others, he sounds like a puppet being manipulated behind the scenes.If there were a decent secular candidate, we would vote for him.

The Economist

First, he'd nominate a "decent, good candidate with a fine track record of good jurisprudence" and when congressional Republicans blocked that person's nomination, he'd "get out [his] trusty pen and phone" and sign Executive Order 1138, which he said he drafted one night in the Lincoln bedroom while holding a seance to contact the ghost of Saul Alinsky, looking for guidance.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In political commentary, use the phrase to suggest a candidate is adequate, without implying strong endorsement. This adds nuance to your analysis and prevents overstatement.

Common error

Avoid using "a decent candidate" when the individual possesses exceptional qualifications. Reserve this phrase for situations where the candidate is merely adequate, not outstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decent candidate" functions as a noun phrase, where "decent" is an adjective modifying the noun "candidate". It's used to describe someone who is adequately suitable for a role, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a decent candidate" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes someone who meets the basic requirements for a particular position or role. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it doesn't imply exceptional qualifications, it suggests adequacy and suitability. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey that someone is just good enough, without overstating their abilities. Alternatives include "a qualified candidate" or "a suitable candidate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a qualified candidate

Focuses specifically on the qualifications of the candidate.

a suitable candidate

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the candidate for the role.

an acceptable candidate

Highlights that the candidate meets the minimum requirements.

a satisfactory candidate

Indicates the candidate fulfills the necessary criteria to a sufficient degree.

a respectable candidate

Suggests the candidate is worthy of esteem and regard.

a competent candidate

Highlights the candidate's ability to perform the required tasks effectively.

a capable candidate

Emphasizes the candidate's inherent potential to succeed.

a promising candidate

Indicates the candidate shows potential for future success and development.

a viable candidate

Focuses on the candidate's ability to be successful or sustainable in the role.

a creditable candidate

Suggests the candidate is worthy of belief or trust.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decent candidate" to describe someone who is adequately qualified for a position, like: "After several interviews, we finally found "a decent candidate" for the marketing manager role".

What can I say instead of "a decent candidate"?

Alternatives include "a qualified candidate", "a suitable candidate", or "an acceptable candidate", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Which is correct, "a decent candidate" or "a good candidate"?

Both "a decent candidate" and "a good candidate" are correct, but they imply different levels of qualification. "A decent candidate" suggests basic competence, while "a good candidate" implies higher qualifications and suitability.

What's the difference between "a decent candidate" and "a promising candidate"?

"A decent candidate" suggests that the person meets the minimum requirements, while "a promising candidate" implies potential for future growth and success, regardless of current qualifications.