a likely choice for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a likely choice for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing options or selections that are probable or suitable for a particular purpose or situation. Example: "Given her experience and skills, she is a likely choice for the leadership role in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A likely choice for a moody teen-ager already contemplating the inexorable passing of her youth.

The New Yorker

In 1957, he was considered a likely choice for mayor, an office the City Council then filled in Cincinnati.

The New York Times

The history of Connecticut's post-Prohibition taverns is sketchy, largely because the humble neighborhood tavern may not seem a likely choice for historical inquiry.

The New York Times

There was speculation that she would be a likely choice for secretary of state, and hopes among Republicans that she could become governor of California and even, someday, president.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr. Lieberman, who had not been widely viewed by most Democrats as a likely choice for Mr. Gore still seemed a bit fazed by his newfound celebrity and, perhaps, that Mr. Gore dared to pick a Jew.

The New York Times

A senior Bush Administration official said Mr. Pachachi had become a likely choice for Iraqi president but cautioned that it was still possible that the appointment could fall through.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The deal with Barnes & Noble, bringing lots of content with it, may give people an extra reason to buy Windows 8 tablets (a likelier choice for e-reading than smartphones, laptops or desktops) when they appear.The bundling of Barnes & Noble's college business into NewCo indicates a hope that a fair few of these customers will be students.

The Economist

(A more likely choice for Zuckerberg would probably be "Lean In," by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg).

Los Angeles Times

However, since Lalli is not portrayed as a member of the upper class, it is unlikely that he possessed an expensive weapon like a sword, and the axe is a more historically likely choice for Henrik's murder.

Wikipedia

A fused clamshell design — where two flat screens could be opened to seamlessly expand them and closed up again to shrink the device footprint for pocketability — seems a much more likely choice for Samsung designers to make, given the obvious commercial challenges of selling a device with a transforming form factor that's also robust enough to withstand everyday consumer use and abuse.

TechCrunch

Once seen as the team's most likely choice for a franchise tag, the team no longer talks about using that label on Oben.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a likely choice for" when indicating a person or thing that is a strong possibility or candidate for a specific role, position, or purpose. This phrase is useful in professional contexts, news reporting, and academic writing.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences that excessively rely on passive voice when using "a likely choice for". Instead, prioritize active voice to strengthen clarity and directness in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a likely choice for" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a high probability or suitability for a particular role or situation. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe potential candidates for positions or possible options in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a likely choice for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for indicating a strong possibility or suitability. As confirmed by Ludwig, its use spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and professional settings. While considered uncommon in frequency, it effectively conveys a sense of high probability. When writing, ensure you maintain an active voice to enhance clarity, and consider alternatives like "a probable candidate for" or "a suitable option for" to add variety to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a probable candidate for

Replaces 'likely choice' with 'probable candidate', emphasizing the person considered.

a suitable option for

Substitutes 'likely choice' with 'suitable option', focusing on appropriateness.

a potential selection for

Changes 'likely choice' to 'potential selection', highlighting the possibility of being selected.

a strong contender for

Replaces 'likely choice' with 'strong contender', suggesting competitiveness.

a good prospect for

Substitutes 'likely choice' with 'good prospect', indicating favorable chances.

a prime applicant for

Changes 'likely choice' to 'prime applicant', emphasizing suitability for a formal application process.

a favored candidate for

Replaces 'likely choice' with 'favored candidate', implying preference or bias.

a leading possibility for

Substitutes 'likely choice' with 'leading possibility', stressing the high probability.

a top pick for

Changes 'likely choice' to 'top pick', indicating it's a preferred option.

a reasonable selection for

Replaces 'likely choice' with 'reasonable selection', suggesting that the choice is logical and justifiable.

FAQs

How can I use "a likely choice for" in a sentence?

You can use "a likely choice for" to indicate someone or something that is highly probable to be selected for a specific role or purpose. For example, "Given her experience, she is "a likely choice for" the project lead".

What are some alternatives to "a likely choice for"?

Alternatives include "a probable candidate for", "a suitable option for", or "a strong contender for", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a likely choice for" and "the best choice for"?

"A likely choice for" implies a high probability of selection, while "the best choice for" indicates the most optimal or suitable option. The former suggests probability, the latter superiority.

When is it appropriate to use "a likely choice for" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "a likely choice for" in situations where you want to express a strong possibility or expectation of someone or something being selected, particularly in professional, academic, or news-related contexts.