best qualified

USAGE SUMMARY

"best qualified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that someone is the most suited or equipped to do something. For example: "Of all the candidates, she is the best qualified for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The question is who is best qualified to decide.

The Guardian - Opinion

Does that alone make me the best qualified?

The New York Times

The best qualified would be assigned to the military.

The New York Times

Powell is best qualified to sum up Emeric Pressburger.

The Guardian - Film

One of the best qualified was George Kennan.

The New York Times

A caption in the print edition describes him as "not the best qualified" judge.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We're losing the best-qualified people.

The New York Times

He says: "I don't know if I was the best-qualified candidate.

The Guardian

Not choosing the best-qualified teachers must be related to poor school scores in some districts.

The New York Times

I am one of the best-qualified people in Scotland in the field I'm in".

The Guardian

That will make recruiting the best-qualified teachers even more competitive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "best qualified" when you want to emphasize that someone possesses the optimal combination of skills, experience, and attributes for a specific role or task.

Common error

Avoid using "best qualified" when "well qualified" or "highly qualified" would suffice. Overusing superlatives can weaken your writing and make it sound less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best qualified" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the person or thing being described possesses the most suitable or superior attributes for a specific purpose. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "best qualified" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjectival phrase that signifies someone possessing the most suitable attributes for a specific role. According to Ludwig, the phrase is often employed in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. It is essential to use this phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse of superlatives. Alternatives like "most suitable" or "most competent" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

best suited

Focuses solely on how well someone fits a position.

most suitable

Focuses on suitability rather than specific qualifications.

most competent

Emphasizes demonstrated ability and capability.

most proficient

Highlights skill and expertise in a particular area.

top candidate

Implies a competitive selection process.

ideal choice

Suggests the perfect or optimal selection.

prime contender

Highlights someone who is seriously considered.

leading expert

Emphasizes knowledge and skill in a specific field.

most experienced

Stresses practical knowledge gained over time.

finest option

Expresses high regard and preference.

FAQs

How is "best qualified" used in a sentence?

You can use "best qualified" to describe a candidate or a person deemed most suitable for a role based on their skills and experience. For example, "She is the "best qualified" candidate for the job".

What are some alternatives to "best qualified"?

Alternatives to "best qualified" include "most suitable", "most competent", or "best suited", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "best qualified" or "well qualified"?

"Best qualified" implies a comparison and suggests the individual is superior to others. "Well qualified" simply means they meet the necessary requirements. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What is the difference between "best qualified" and "most experienced"?

"Best qualified" considers a combination of skills, experience, and attributes, while "most experienced" focuses solely on the amount of practical experience someone has. Someone can be the "most experienced" but not necessarily the "best qualified" if they lack other essential skills.