a good candidate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good candidate for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone or something that is suitable or appropriate for a particular role, position, or situation. Example: "She is a good candidate for the scholarship due to her outstanding academic performance and community service."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would Jessica be a good candidate for my worldly possessions?

The New York Times

He's a good candidate for much bigger things".

The New York Times

Joan seemed like a good candidate for imagery-rehearsal therapy.

The New Yorker

"Would she make a good candidate for president?

The New York Times - Books

Previous radiosurgery made him a good candidate for brachytherapy.

Medical Dosimetry

QWIP is a good candidate for the low flux applications.

Infrared Physics & Technology

A good candidate for the other system is absorption.

Energy Conversion and Management

HzKR127-3.2 may be a good candidate for HBV immunoprophylaxis.

FEBS Letters

It's a good candidate for your house red this winter.

The Washington Post

There's already a good candidate for this role — the chimpanzee.

The New York Times

Would he be a good candidate for that job?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a good candidate for", ensure that the qualities or qualifications supporting this assessment are clearly stated or easily inferred by the reader. Providing context will strengthen the statement and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid generically stating something is "a good candidate for" without providing specific reasons or supporting evidence. This can weaken the statement and make it seem unsubstantiated. Instead, elaborate on the reasons why the subject is well-suited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good candidate for" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase followed by a noun, acting as a subjective complement. It describes the suitability or appropriateness of a person or thing for a particular role or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good candidate for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe suitability for a role or purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate across various registers, though most common in scientific, news-related, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clear justifications for the assessment to enhance clarity and credibility. Alternatives like "a suitable option for" or "well-suited for" can add variety to writing. By avoiding generic usage and providing specific reasons, writers can effectively convey the suitability of their subjects. Finally, be aware of the specific context, because as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, being "a good candidate for" something can also have a negative connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a suitable option for

Replaces "candidate" with "option", focusing on suitability rather than a person or object's qualifications.

a fitting choice for

Substitutes "candidate" with "choice", emphasizing the appropriateness of the selection.

an ideal applicant for

Replaces "good" with "ideal" and "candidate" with "applicant", suggesting the person perfectly matches requirements.

well-suited for

Uses a hyphenated adjective to convey the idea of being appropriately matched or aligned with requirements.

a prime prospect for

Changes "candidate" to "prospect", indicating potential and likelihood of success.

a promising contender for

Emphasizes the potential and competitiveness of the candidate or option.

a strong possibility for

Shifts the focus to potential outcome rather than the qualities of the subject.

an eligible individual for

Replaces "candidate" with a more formal term "eligible individual", emphasizing meeting the necessary requirements.

an appropriate selection for

Highlights the suitability and correctness of the selected item or person.

a viable solution for

Focuses on the potential of being an effective and workable solution.

FAQs

What does "a good candidate for" mean?

It means that someone or something is well-suited or appropriate for a particular role, position, or purpose. It suggests the person or thing possesses the necessary qualities or qualifications.

What can I say instead of "a good candidate for"?

You can use alternatives like "a suitable option for", "well-suited for", or "a promising contender for" depending on the context.

How to use "a good candidate for" in a sentence?

Use it to describe someone or something that is likely to succeed or be effective in a particular role or situation. For example, "This technology is a good candidate for improving energy efficiency."

Is it always positive to be described as "a good candidate for" something?

Generally, yes. It implies you or something has the potential to succeed in a certain area. However, the specific implications depend on the context. For example, "This is looking like "a good candidate for" worst-reviewed movie of the year" has a negative connotation.