be a viable candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a viable candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing qualifications or suitability for a position, role, or opportunity. Example: "To be considered for the scholarship, you must demonstrate that you can be a viable candidate through your academic achievements and extracurricular activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Adolfo Carrión evidently feels that being comptroller will enable him to be a viable candidate for mayor at another time.

The New York Times

"The problem has been he hasn't been able to raise the money to be a viable candidate until now".

The New York Times

She garnered 18 million-plus votes, and proved by her solid showing that a woman could indeed be a viable candidate for the nation's highest office.

The New York Times

If these figures are taken at face value, they suggest that Biden could be a viable candidate in the general election.

The New Yorker

And with Andrew M. Cuomo's withdrawing from the primary a week before the election, Mr. McCall has proven to be a viable candidate.

The New York Times

His speech today, at George Washington University, was the latest evidence of his effort to prove that he would be a viable candidate in 2004.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Now, suddenly, he is a viable candidate.

The New York Times

Here I am, a viable candidate.

The New York Times

• The larger point was that Vincent was a viable candidate.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Horowitz said he is a viable candidate in this race.

The New York Times

But being a viable candidate and taking the plunge are two very different things.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assessing someone's potential in a political context, use "be a viable candidate" to denote their realistic chances of winning an election or nomination. For example, "After a strong fundraising quarter, she proved she could "be a viable candidate" in the upcoming election."

Common error

Avoid using "be a viable candidate" in everyday conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone is better suited for professional or political discussions. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "be a good choice" or "be suitable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a viable candidate" primarily functions as a predicate nominative, describing the subject's state or potential. It suggests that the subject possesses the qualities and characteristics necessary to succeed in a competitive situation, as evidenced by examples found using Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be a viable candidate" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe someone with a realistic chance of success, particularly in politics or other competitive fields. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While generally neutral in register, it's more suited for formal or professional contexts than casual conversations. To enhance your writing, consider alternative phrases like ""be a feasible contender"" or ""be a promising prospect"" to add nuance. Remember to avoid overuse in informal settings and ensure that the individual possesses the necessary qualities and resources to justify the assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a feasible contender

Replaces "viable" with "feasible" and "candidate" with "contender", suggesting a practical possibility of success in a competition.

be a practical applicant

Substitutes "viable" with "practical" and "candidate" with "applicant", emphasizing the realistic aspects of the person's suitability.

be a promising prospect

Replaces "viable candidate" with "promising prospect", focusing on the potential for future success.

be an eligible nominee

Uses "eligible nominee" instead of "viable candidate", highlighting the fulfillment of necessary conditions for consideration.

be a suitable choice

Replaces "viable candidate" with "suitable choice", emphasizing appropriateness for a specific role or position.

be a competitive option

Substitutes "viable candidate" with "competitive option", focusing on the ability to rival others in a selection process.

be a realistic possibility

Replaces the entire phrase with "realistic possibility", shifting the focus to the likelihood of success.

have the potential to win

Expresses the idea of viability through the potential for victory or success.

possess the qualities for selection

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make the grade

Replaces "be a viable candidate" with "make the grade", idiomatically suggesting meeting the required standard.

FAQs

What does it mean to "be a viable candidate"?

To "be a viable candidate" means to have a realistic chance of success in an election, competition, or selection process. It implies possessing the necessary qualities, resources, and support to be seriously considered.

What can I say instead of "be a viable candidate"?

You can use alternatives like "be a feasible contender", "be a promising prospect", or "be a suitable choice" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "become a viable candidate" or "be a viable candidate"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Become a viable candidate" suggests a process of developing the necessary qualities, while "be a viable candidate" indicates a current state of possessing those qualities.

How important is funding to "be a viable candidate" in politics?

Funding is often crucial to "be a viable candidate" in politics, as it allows for effective campaigning, advertising, and outreach to voters. Without sufficient financial resources, it can be challenging to compete against well-funded opponents.