applicants for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "applicants for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals who are applying for a position, program, or opportunity. Example: "The university received a record number of applicants for the graduate program this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Applicants for membership must submit an application and CV to the Executive Director of the CRWAD.

Animal Health Research Reviews

Applicants for grants.

Cornell University

§ 17.253 Applicants for grants.

Cornell University

(There were 63,000 applicants for 1,500 openings).

The Economist

Conclusions Applicants for home meal delivery have varying nutrition needs.

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

There remain roughly three applicants for every open job.

The Economist

There are many applicants for the new money.

The Economist

Patagonia has 900 applicants for every job opening at headquarters.

The New York Times

There were 12,300 applicants for this year's 150 places.

The Guardian

Cantaron says: 40,000 applicants for some 300 posts.

The Guardian

New applicants for unemployment benefits spilled out the door.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a large number of applicants, provide context by including the number of available positions to highlight the competitiveness of the selection process.

Common error

Avoid using "application to" when referring to the object of the application. "Applicants for a job" is correct, while "applicants to a job" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "applicants for" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, modifying another noun. It is used to identify individuals who are in the process of applying or seeking something, such as a job, a grant, or admission to a program. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "applicants for" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to people who are in the process of applying for something. Ludwig's analysis shows its widespread usage across various fields, including news, science, and academia. It serves to identify and specify individuals seeking opportunities, whether it's a job, a grant, or admission to a program. While alternatives like "candidates for" or "those seeking" exist, "applicants for" remains a clear and versatile choice. Pay attention to the preposition, ensuring you correctly use "applicants for" rather than incorrect alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

candidates applying for

Replaces "applicants" with "candidates applying", emphasizing the active process of applying.

prospective candidates for

Adds "prospective" to indicate potential candidates, suggesting those considering applying.

those interested in applying for

Specifies the interest in applying, indicating a preliminary stage before the actual application.

those seeking

Uses a broader term "seeking" instead of "applicants", implying a general search or application.

parties applying to

Replaces "applicants" with "parties", a more formal term, and "for" with "to".

individuals in the running for

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of the application process.

registrants for

Implies a registration process instead of a general application.

contenders for

Uses "contenders" suggesting a competitive situation where people are competing for the same thing.

nominees competing for

Focuses on a nomination process and competition, suitable for specific contexts.

petitioners requesting

Suggests a formal request or petition process, different from a general application.

FAQs

How to use "applicants for" in a sentence?

You can use "applicants for" to describe people who are applying for something, such as "The company received hundreds of "applicants for" the open position".

What are some alternatives to "applicants for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "candidates for", "those seeking", or "prospective candidates for".

Is there a difference between "applicants for" and "candidates for"?

While similar, "applicants for" generally refers to individuals in the initial stages of applying, whereas "candidates for" often implies that the individuals have been shortlisted or are being seriously considered.

What prepositions can I use instead of "for" in "applicants for"?

While "for" is the most common and generally correct preposition, in specific contexts, you might use "applicants to" (e.g., "applicants to a program") if the destination or target is emphasized.