a prospective applicant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prospective applicant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who is considering applying for a position or opportunity but has not yet submitted an application. Example: "We encourage a prospective applicant to review the job description thoroughly before applying."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Once mutual interest is established between a prospective applicant and a Research Adviser, an application is submitted through the NRC WebRap system.

Duke University

A prospective applicant or major?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Kennis talked about what he would look for in a prospective applicant.

Columbia University

Mr. Zhang lists his completed Coursera coursework near the top of his résumé, next to his high school, and recognizes its cachet for him as a prospective applicant.

The New York Times

no such requirements shall include a requirement to inquire or identify whether a prospective applicant or enrollee for long-term care insurance has accident and sickness insurance.

Cornell University

Mr. Duncan said that he considered an institution's completion rate to be such an important yardstick, and that a low graduation rate should be enough to persuade a prospective applicant to look elsewhere.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A list of the selection criteria for any prospective applicant.

WikiHow

Failing to attract a single prospective applicant in over seven years, they expanded enrollment to students with no intention of joining the clergy.

Wikipedia

Prior to completing an application, prospective applicants should contact the proposed Research Adviser to assure that funding will be available if their application is recommended by NRC panels.

Duke University

Now, when a prospective insurance applicant calls, agents put the applicant's data directly into the system, which quickly spits out a quot.

Forbes

Having the intelligence and self-discipline to master one or both difficult ancient languages says a lot about the prospective applicant.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing a group, consider using "potential applicants" or "prospective candidates" for inclusivity. For example, instead of saying, "Each "a prospective applicant" must submit…", use, "All potential applicants must submit…"

Common error

Be precise about the stage of the application process. Using "a prospective applicant" implies they haven't yet applied. If they have already submitted something, terms like "applicant" or "candidate" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prospective applicant" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig shows that the phrase is used to identify individuals who are considering or are in the process of applying for a position, program, or opportunity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

41%

News & Media

41%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a prospective applicant" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe someone who is considering applying for something but hasn't yet submitted their application. Ludwig confirms the correctness of this phrase. The phrase is most frequently found in academic and news contexts. Alternatives such as "a potential candidate" or "an intending applicant" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using the phrase, ensure that the person hasn't already applied, as "applicant" would then be more accurate. When addressing groups of potential applicants, using plurals like "potential applicants" can enhance inclusivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a potential candidate

Replaces "applicant" with "candidate", emphasizing the individual's qualifications and suitability.

a possible applicant

Substitutes "prospective" with "possible", indicating a degree of uncertainty about the application.

an intending applicant

Uses "intending" to highlight the applicant's intention to apply.

a future applicant

Replaces "prospective" with "future", suggesting a time-oriented perspective.

a hopeful applicant

Emphasizes the applicant's desire and optimism regarding their application.

a likely applicant

Implies a higher probability that the person will apply, based on available information.

a possible candidate

Combines "possible" with "candidate", implying the person is being considered but not yet an applicant.

a soon-to-be applicant

Highlights the imminence of the person becoming an applicant.

a waiting applicant

Emphasizes that the applicant is waiting for some condition to become fulfilled.

a would-be applicant

Implies the applicant desires to become fulfilled, but it's not certain.

FAQs

What is the difference between "a prospective applicant" and "an applicant"?

"A prospective applicant" refers to someone who is considering applying but has not yet done so. "An applicant", on the other hand, has already submitted an application.

What are some synonyms for "a prospective applicant"?

Alternatives include "a potential candidate", "a possible applicant", or "an intending applicant". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "a prospective applicant" in a sentence?

Example: "The information session is designed to answer questions from "a prospective applicant"." or "We encourage "a prospective applicant" to carefully review all requirements before applying."

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "a prospective applicant"?

It would be incorrect if the person in question has already formally applied. In that case, "applicant" alone would be more appropriate.