a prime contender

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prime contender" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is a leading candidate or strong competitor for a particular position, award, or opportunity. Example: "In the upcoming election, she is considered a prime contender for the mayoral position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The movie is expected to be a prime contender for the 2017 awards season.

The Washington Post

The buzz: "A prime contender for a 2016 breakout" – The 405.

The Guardian - Music

That soon singled him out as a prime contender for Alexander Alekhine's world championship.

The New York Times

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano Looked like a prime contender early in the winter, but he appears to be on the downgrade.

The Washington Post

That surely makes China a prime contender for the first World Cup it will be able to host.

The Economist

Miami's Rough Road Lose for Luck lost a prime contender Sunday when the St. Louis Rams stunned the New Orleans Saints for their first victory of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

But with the likelihood so many big TV-centric players getting into the smart home game, there's no doubt the TV has a good chance to be prime contender to be your next smart home hub.

Forbes

Snub: "If Beale Street Could Talk" Barry Jenkins' adaptation of the James Baldwin novel wasn't considered a lock for a best picture nomination, but it was the prime contender left off the eight-film list.

Los Angeles Times

Turnbull suggested Shorten's comments were not fitting for a prime ministerial contender and could be "against the national interest".

The Guardian

The rapid rise of this outsider from little-known provincial politician to a prime ministerial contender who launched an unprecedented effort to win himself the highest executive office in the land has rattled the Delhi power elite.

The Guardian

These awards are given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in January, and their nominations can be used in print and broadcast ads both to generate holiday-season box office and to try to build the perception that the film or the performance is a prime Oscar contender.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prime contender" to clearly indicate a leading candidate or strong competitor in a specific context. For example, "She is considered "a prime contender" for the CEO position".

Common error

Avoid using "a prime contender" in very casual or informal situations. It can sound overly formal or pretentious when simpler language would suffice. For example, instead of saying "He's "a prime contender" for winning the game," consider "He's likely to win the game."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prime contender" functions as a noun phrase that identifies someone or something as a leading or strong candidate. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prime contender" is a noun phrase used to describe someone or something with a high probability of success in a given context. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in news, sports, and business. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in very informal situations where simpler language is preferred. Alternatives include "leading candidate", "top prospect", and "front runner". Keep in mind that its formality makes it suitable for more formal writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leading candidate

Focuses on being ahead in a selection process.

a front runner

Stresses being in the lead during a competition or race.

a top prospect

Highlights future potential and possibility.

a chief competitor

Highlights strong competition in a particular area.

a strong possibility

Emphasizes the likelihood of something happening.

a top choice

Focuses on being preferred or favored.

a likely winner

Suggests a high probability of achieving victory.

a probable successor

Implies a high likelihood of taking over a position.

a major player

Indicates someone or something with significant influence.

a key figure

Highlights the importance or centrality of someone.

FAQs

How can I use "a prime contender" in a sentence?

Use "a prime contender" to describe someone or something considered a leading candidate or strong competitor. For example, "The new smartphone is "a prime contender" in the tech market."

What are some alternatives to "a prime contender"?

You can use alternatives like "leading candidate", "top prospect", or "front runner" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the prime contender" instead of "a prime contender"?

While "the prime contender" might be grammatically correct in some situations, "a prime contender" is generally more common and idiomatic when referring to one among several potential candidates or competitors.

What makes someone or something "a prime contender"?

Being "a prime contender" suggests that the person or thing has a high likelihood of success or selection due to their qualifications, skills, or performance. For example, "Because of her experience and skills, she is "a prime contender" for the job".