as a candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone in the context of applying for a position or being considered for a role. Example: "As a candidate for the position, I believe my skills and experience align well with the company's needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jackson is sometimes mentioned as a candidate.

The New York Times

Writer analyzes Dukakis as a candidate.

The New Yorker

As a candidate for president.

The New York Times

Take responsibility as a candidate.

The New Yorker

She's so flawed as a candidate.

The Washington Post

But as a candidate, he faltered.

The Washington Post

As a candidate, Obama was a visionary.

The Washington Post

Others questioned Sykes's seriousness as a candidate.

The Washington Post

I learned from her as a candidate.

The New York Times

(He'd already appeared twice as a candidate).

Independent

How can you stand out as a candidate?

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a candidate", ensure the context clearly specifies the position or role being sought. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example, specify "as a candidate for mayor" or "as a candidate for the software engineering position".

Common error

Avoid using "as a candidate" without specifying the role or position. This can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "he performed well as a candidate", clarify with "he performed well as a candidate for the board of directors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a candidate" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the capacity in which someone is acting or being considered. Ludwig AI confirms that "as a candidate" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a candidate" serves to clarify an individual's role in seeking a position. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically sound and prevalent, especially in news and media, formal, and academic contexts. While usage is generally straightforward, specifying the position clarifies any ambiguity. Alternatives like "in the running" and "seeking election" offer nuanced substitutes. It's important to ensure the role is explicitly mentioned for clarity. Although versatile and commonly used, the expert rating is 4.4 considering the straightfoward nature and limited stylistic changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the running

This alternative suggests active participation and competition in a selection process.

in contention

Indicates active involvement and competition for a desired outcome.

vying for the position

Highlights the competitive aspect of seeking a specific role or office.

a hopeful contender

Highlights the aspiration and competition involved in seeking a role.

seeking election

Specifically emphasizes the pursuit of an elected office.

a prospective nominee

Emphasizes the potential for being officially nominated.

applying for the role

Focuses on the act of submitting an application for a particular job or position.

a potential appointee

Focuses on the possibility of being officially appointed to a position.

an aspirant

Refers to someone who has ambitions to achieve something.

a possible choice

Suggests consideration as one option among several.

FAQs

How can I use "as a candidate" in a sentence?

You can use "as a candidate" to describe someone's actions or qualities in the context of seeking a position. For example, "as a candidate, she emphasized her experience" or "the company viewed him as a candidate with strong leadership skills".

What are some alternatives to "as a candidate"?

Alternatives include "in the running", "seeking election", "applying for the role", or "a prospective nominee", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "as a candidate" or "like a candidate"?

"As a candidate" describes someone's actual status or role in seeking a position, while "like a candidate" implies resemblance or similarity to a typical candidate. For example, "as a candidate, she presented her qualifications" is about her role. "She spoke like a candidate" means she spoke in a way that is typical of candidates.

What's the difference between "as a candidate" and "as an applicant"?

"As an applicant" generally refers to the initial stage of applying for a job or program, while "as a candidate" suggests a more advanced stage, where the individual is being actively considered or assessed. An applicant becomes a candidate after meeting certain initial criteria.