agree on a candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree on a candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a consensus or mutual decision regarding a specific person being considered for a position or role. Example: "After much discussion, we were finally able to agree on a candidate for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Yet even before the arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn it was clear that not only were the odds still biased in favor of Europe, but Asia would find it very difficult to agree on a candidate, let alone one acceptable to the West.

The New York Times

They have yet to agree on a candidate for governor in November's election, let alone one with much hope of beating the Democrat frontrunner, Eliot Spitzer.

The Economist

But could they ever agree on a candidate?

The New York Times

It has yet to agree on a candidate for the presidency.

The Economist

Unable to agree on a candidate for prime minister, they broke into two big groups.

The Economist

The council hopes to agree on a candidate by October, diplomats say.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Hungary's ruling Socialists and their former coalition partner, the Free Democrats, have agreed on a candidate to lead a new government: the economy minister, Gordon Bajnai.

The Economist

But agreeing on a candidate has been difficult for the business leaders and for a much larger coalition of black elected officials, clergy members and grass-roots groups.

The New York Times

Now that Democrats have agreed on a candidate, they will need court approval to replace Mr. Torricelli's name on the ballot.

The New York Times

The union, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, did not heed the A.F.L.-C.I.O.'s call for unions to withhold endorsements until a majority of the labor federation's members had agreed on a candidate.

The New York Times

The current government, so badly divided that it has not yet agreed on a candidate for the elections, is painted by Mr. Berlusconi and others as ineffectual and infected by "buonismo," an Italian word that suggests bleeding-heart liberalism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "agree on a candidate" when you want to emphasize a process of deliberation and decision-making among multiple parties.

Common error

Avoid using prepositions other than "on" after "agree" when referring to a candidate. For example, saying "agree to a candidate" or "agree with a candidate" changes the meaning or is grammatically incorrect in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree on a candidate" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a collective decision-making process. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and used to describe the action of a group reaching a consensus about a particular candidate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agree on a candidate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a group reaching a consensus regarding a nominee. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate in a multitude of contexts, prominently in news, encyclopedias and wiki. The phrase carries a neutral to professional tone, underscoring its suitability for formal discussions. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "reach a consensus on a candidate" or "settle on a nominee" to articulate similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach a consensus on a candidate

Emphasizes the process of achieving mutual agreement among a group.

come to an agreement on a candidate

Highlights the final stage of reaching a mutual understanding.

settle on a nominee

Focuses on the act of making a final decision regarding a nomination.

decide on a contender

Implies a choice among individuals competing for a position.

select a candidate by mutual consent

Highlights that the selection is based on mutual agreement.

unite behind a candidate

Suggests a consolidation of support for a single candidate.

find common ground on a nominee

Focuses on finding shared acceptance of a potential candidate.

concur on a selection

Highlights a formal agreement on a particular choice.

endorse a common applicant

Focuses on the approval and support of an applicant shared by multiple parties.

achieve accord on a contender

Emphasizes the successful attainment of agreement on an individual competing for a role.

FAQs

What does it mean to "agree on a candidate"?

To "agree on a candidate" means that a group of people or organizations have come to a consensus or mutual decision regarding which candidate they will support or select for a position or role.

How can I use "agree on a candidate" in a sentence?

You might say, "After a lengthy debate, the committee was finally able to "reach a consensus on a candidate"" or "The two parties struggled to "reach a consensus on a candidate" who would appeal to both sides."

What are some alternatives to "agree on a candidate"?

You can use alternatives like "reach a consensus on a candidate", "come to an agreement on a candidate", or "settle on a nominee", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "agree on a candidate" or "agree to a candidate"?

The correct and more common phrasing is "agree on a candidate". "Agree to a candidate" implies agreeing to something the candidate proposes, rather than agreeing on the candidate themselves as the best choice.