as a key candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a key candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who is considered an important or primary choice for a position or role. Example: "In the upcoming election, she is viewed as a key candidate for the position of mayor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Speaking to Deadline, Feige said the Disney-owned studio saw the former Shield agent as a key candidate for a forthcoming solo outing, ahead of fellow Avengers Falcon, War Machine and Hawkeye.

The Guardian - Film

The hormone leptin was identified as a key candidate because it is present in breast milk, but is not present in infant formula, and when ingested during the suckling period can be absorbed by the immature stomach exerting biological effects.

Appetite

Kirilenko was seen as a key candidate by the West to replace Brezhnev as Soviet leader in 1982.

Wikipedia

Interestingly, the major quantitative trait locus (QTLs) for witches' broom disease resistance is tightly linked to the TcNPR1 gene [ 80], thus the TcNPR1 gene serves as a key candidate gene for generation of molecular markers that can be used for marker assisted selection of new disease resistant varieties.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

BMPR-IB (also known as FecB) is a key candidate gene for the genetic control of sheep reproductive performance.

Theriogenology

PICK1, a key candidate as a bidirectional regulator of synaptic AMPARs trafficking, mediates the trafficking of GluR2/3 and participate in many physiological and pathological processes.

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

The first term of the pair is accepted as a key term candidate if its frequency is greater than the threshold and did not merge with its preceding and following term.

Smart Learning Environments

Taguchi and co-workers [ 25] have identified TINAGL1 and B3GALNT1 as novel key candidate genes in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer from gene expression and epigenetic data, while sets of microRNA biomarkers for detecting lung squamous cell carcinoma have been proposed by Song et al.[ 26].

BMC Genomics

To assess the strength of the GOP candidates, I consider one of the key indicators from the political science literature on congressional elections -- previously holding elected office, which Jacobson has identified as a key proxy for candidate quality.

Huffington Post

PhenoGen is organized primarily to allow for genetical genomic/phenotypic analysis that includes the determination of bQTL/eQTL overlap as a key aspect of candidate gene identification.

Behavior Genetics

AQPs can act as key candidate molecules to confront this issue.

Journal of Proteomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a key candidate" to clearly signal that someone or something is being seriously considered for a particular role or function, especially when emphasizing their importance relative to other contenders.

Common error

Avoid using "as a key candidate" in informal settings where a more casual phrase would be more appropriate. This phrase carries a degree of formality and seriousness that might feel out of place in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a key candidate" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, identifying it as an important or primary option. It is frequently used to denote something or someone under serious consideration, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a key candidate" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance or leading potential of someone or something being considered for a specific role or function. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage is valid and appropriate, particularly in formal contexts such as science and news reporting. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys that the subject is a strong contender. When seeking alternatives, consider "as a primary contender" or "as a leading applicant" to maintain the sense of importance. Avoid using it in very casual settings where the formality may be misplaced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a primary contender

Replaces "key" with "primary", emphasizing the leading position in a competition or selection.

as a front runner

Focuses on being ahead in a competition or selection process.

as a leading applicant

Substitutes "candidate" with "applicant", focusing on a formal application process.

as a prime prospect

Changes "key candidate" to "prime prospect", highlighting potential and future success.

as a noteworthy choice

Emphasizes the quality of being worth attention or consideration.

as an important option

Replaces "candidate" with "option", broadening the scope to any choice under consideration.

as a strong possibility

Emphasizes the likelihood of something occurring or being chosen.

as a significant possibility

Shifts from a person to a possibility, indicating a potential outcome.

as a major player

Focuses on influence and impact rather than candidacy.

as a central figure

Highlights the importance of a person in a particular context.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a key candidate" to highlight someone or something being seriously considered for a specific role or purpose. For example, "The hormone leptin was identified as a key candidate because it is present in breast milk".

What are some alternatives to "as a key candidate"?

Alternatives include "as a primary contender", "as a leading applicant", or "as a prime prospect", depending on the context.

Is "as a key candidate" formal or informal?

"As a key candidate" is generally considered a more formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts.

What does "as a key candidate" emphasize?

"As a key candidate" emphasizes the importance and potential of someone or something being considered, suggesting they are a strong contender for a particular role or function.