a strong candidate to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong candidate to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone or something that is likely to succeed or be chosen for a particular role or opportunity. Example: "She is a strong candidate to lead the new project due to her extensive experience and leadership skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whitehill, 26, was a strong candidate to make the 18-player roster for the Beijing Games.

The New York Times

PBDE's, scientists say, are a strong candidate to be a fourth.

The New York Times

Nunnally is a strong candidate to stick with the Mets after spring training.

The New York Times - Sports

Oakes said the assistant coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson is a strong candidate to replace Barmore.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1983, Ms. Kirkpatrick was a strong candidate to become President Reagan's third national security adviser.

The New York Times

Bratton takes over from Raymond Kelly, a highly regarded leader considered a strong candidate to stay on.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Goaltender Johan Holmqvist, a strong candidate to back up Mike Richter, allowed 5 goals on 16 shots.

The New York Times - Sports

Hence, the method is a strong candidate to design microphone configurations when short development time is only available.

Measurement

If voters balk as the election nears, the Socialists may have trouble fielding a strong candidate to take her place.

The New York Times

But he felt that Vaclav Havel, the former Czech president, was a strong candidate to win today.

The New York Times

Dickey, whose earned run average dropped to 2.44, could be a strong candidate to make his first All-Star team.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a strong candidate to" when you want to highlight that someone or something has a high probability of being selected or succeeding. This phrase is suitable for formal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a strong candidate to" in very casual or informal settings. Simpler phrases like "likely to" or "expected to" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong candidate to" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase followed by a noun and an infinitive, describing someone or something with a high probability of achieving a specific outcome. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a strong candidate to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates a high likelihood of success or selection. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a descriptive phrase, commonly found in news, scientific, and sports contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal communication, with alternatives like "likely to" or "a leading contender to" offering similar meanings in different contexts. Understanding its nuances allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leading contender to

Replaces "candidate" with "contender", emphasizing competitiveness.

a prime prospect to

Substitutes "candidate" with "prospect", highlighting potential.

well-positioned to

Focuses on favorable circumstances, implying a high probability of success.

likely to

Simplifies the expression, indicating a high probability.

a front-runner to

Uses a sports-related term, emphasizing the leading position.

a top choice to

Highlights selection preference.

in a good position to

Emphasizes favorable positioning for an event or opportunity.

highly favored to

Stresses preferential treatment or advantage.

expected to

Indicates a common anticipation or prediction.

deemed suitable to

Highlights an assessment of appropriateness.

FAQs

How can I use "a strong candidate to" in a sentence?

You can use "a strong candidate to" to indicate a high likelihood of success or selection. For example, "She is "a strong candidate to" win the election because of her widespread support".

What are some alternatives to "a strong candidate to"?

Alternatives include "a leading contender to", "likely to", or "well-positioned to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a strong candidate to" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a strong candidate to" is generally more suitable for formal or professional writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "likely to" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "a strong candidate to" and "likely to"?

"A strong candidate to" implies a more formal assessment and higher probability of success than "likely to". The former suggests a competitive context, while the latter simply indicates expectation.