a key candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an important or significant individual being considered for a position, role, or opportunity. Example: "After reviewing all the applicants, we believe that Sarah is a key candidate for the project manager position."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Ecuador's Presidential elections were just weeks away, and a key candidate was vowing to evict him from the Embassy.

The New Yorker

Speaking to Deadline, Feige said the Disney-owned studio saw the former Shield agent as a key candidate for a forthcoming solo outing, ahead of fellow Avengers Falcon, War Machine and Hawkeye.

The Guardian - Film

Its widespread adoption and high bandwidth make Wi-Fi a key candidate for carrying this docking traffic.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

BMPR-IB (also known as FecB) is a key candidate gene for the genetic control of sheep reproductive performance.

Theriogenology

A heroine of Ukraine's Orange Revolution, Yulia Tymoshenko is one of the country's most high-profile political figures and a key candidate in its presidential election.

BBC

In terms of achieving global food sustainability, attaining higher yield has been of utmost priority and our findings demonstrate a key candidate for generation of high yielding cultivars through molecular breeding studies.

Rice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Once this toxin can be identified – and scientists have a few key candidates – a vaccine could be created to block its path through the body and so prevent Parkinson's from taking root in the brain.

The Guardian

The most significant outcome of the present work is that it lays out a roadmap for future studies of regulatory mechanisms by providing a list of key candidate genes for functional analysis.

BMC Genomics

Although linkage studies have been successful in mapping a number of these key candidate genes [8], studies relying on linkage disequilibrium (LD) have grown in popularity because they can be more effective in detecting weaker associations from multiple common and low-penetrance alleles [13], [14].

Plosone

The topology of a TF network highlights key candidate players and predicts circuit connections but does not reveal how these circuits behave or what their outputs are.

Cell Stem Cell

The key candidate for a proxy indicator of financial hardship is the share of out-of-pocket payments in total health expenditure.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key candidate", ensure the context clearly establishes what they are a candidate for, whether it's a job, election, or solution. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a key candidate" as a generic filler phrase. Instead, ensure the individual or item genuinely holds substantial importance and potential within the specified scenario. Be precise to avoid diluting its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key candidate" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and is used to identify someone or something of considerable importance in a selection process.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a key candidate" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize the importance or potential of someone or something being considered for a particular role or position. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples of its use across various contexts, primarily in science and news media. While it's not the most frequently used phrase, it's valuable for highlighting significance. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what the candidate is being considered for and avoid overuse in generic statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leading contender

Focuses on the competitive aspect of being a candidate.

a primary applicant

Highlights the act of applying and being a main choice.

a major prospect

Emphasizes the potential and future possibilities.

a top choice

Indicates a preferred selection among several options.

a prime selection

Highlights the quality and suitability of the candidate.

a frontrunner

Highlights the leading position in a competition or selection process.

a significant possibility

Shifts the focus to the potential outcome or result.

an important nominee

Highlights the act of being formally nominated and considered important.

a noteworthy individual

Focuses on the person's merits and significance.

a crucial player

Emphasizes the importance and role of the candidate in a specific situation.

FAQs

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

Use "a key candidate" to describe someone or something that is considered very important or promising for a specific role, position, or solution. For example, "She is "a key candidate" for the leadership position because of her experience and skills."

What are some alternatives to "a key candidate"?

You can use alternatives like "a leading contender", "a primary applicant", or "a major prospect" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a key candidate" or "the key candidate"?

The choice depends on the context. "A key candidate" implies one among several important candidates, while "the key candidate" suggests there is one particular candidate who stands out above all others.

In what situations is "a key candidate" most appropriately used?

"A key candidate" is appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the importance or potential of a particular person or item being considered, such as in recruitment processes, elections, or problem-solving scenarios.