a former candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a former candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who previously ran for a position or role, such as in an election or selection process. Example: "The event will feature a panel discussion with a former candidate for mayor who will share insights on the election process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It probably was window dressing to have a Senator and a former candidate for President".

The New Yorker

Mr. Stoiber, a former candidate for chancellor, has never masked his skepticism about the coalition.

The New York Times

As a former candidate for federal office in Arizona, I agree that Arpaio is a dangerous, media-hungry blowhard.

The New Yorker

A former candidate himself, Mr. Issa had ridden the bus with Mr. Schwarzenegger on his campaign blitz through California.

The New York Times

The other candidates are James W. Treffinger, the Essex County executive, and Murray Sabrin, a former candidate for governor.

The New York Times

Some Tea Party candidates appear inclined to follow the lead of one of the movement's favorites, Representative Ron Paul, Republican of Texas, a former candidate for president.

The New York Times

Jerome Champagne, a former candidate to replace Blatter as Fifa president before pulling out, campaigned on the possibility Qatar could lose the tournament.

Independent

On 11 July, a former candidate from Qayyara for the Ninevah provincial council elections was shot in the head at al-Ghizlani.

Independent

He's not… Sayed Ishaq Gailani, a member of the National Assembly in Afghanistan and a former candidate for the Afghan Presidency, was in town the other day,….

The New Yorker

Another speaker will be Rick Santorum, a former candidate for the presidential nomination who is backed by evangelicals and who is weighing another run for the White House.

The Guardian

Other possible volunteers include a former candidate (Gary Hart), three sitting senators (Bob Graham, Christopher Dodd and Joseph Biden) and an ex-general (Wesley Clark).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a former candidate" to highlight someone's past political involvement, especially when it's relevant to the current discussion.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows the specific election or position the person ran for. Always specify "a former candidate" for what, such as "a former candidate for mayor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a former candidate" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an adjective-noun combination to describe someone who previously participated in an election or selection process. Ludwig shows it is widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a former candidate" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to someone who previously ran for an elected office or position. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "an ex-candidate" or "past candidate" exist, specifying the election or position is crucial for clarity. When using the phrase "a former candidate", ensure you provide sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and enhance reader understanding. The phrase works as an adjective-noun combination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ex-candidate

Replaces 'former' with 'ex-', a shorter and more informal synonym.

past candidate

Replaces 'former' with 'past,' a similar and equally common adjective.

defeated candidate

Directly indicates that the candidate did not win the election.

previous nominee

Focuses on the nomination aspect of candidacy, implying selection by a party.

past contender

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of running for a position.

onetime hopeful

Highlights the aspiration or hope associated with being a candidate.

former aspirant

Emphasizes the person's ambition to hold the position.

failed applicant

Stresses the lack of success in achieving the desired position.

one-time runner

Replaces candidate with a word that implies someone that runs, such as a marathon.

bygone candidate

Indicates something that belongs to an earlier time. Can be used to add a level of depth to the sentence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a former candidate" to refer to someone who previously ran for an elected office. For example, "The panel included "a former candidate" for governor who shared insights about the campaign trail".

What's a more concise way to say "a former candidate"?

Alternatives include "an ex-candidate" or "past candidate", both of which are shorter and maintain the same meaning.

Is it necessary to specify which election when referring to "a former candidate"?

For clarity, it's best to specify the election or position, such as "a former candidate" for mayor or senator. Otherwise, the context might be unclear.

Which is correct, "a former candidate" or "an ex candidate"?

Both "a former candidate" and "an ex-candidate" are grammatically correct. "A former candidate" is generally considered more formal, while "an ex-candidate" is more informal.