borderline candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borderline candidate" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is just barely qualified or suitable for a particular job, position, or opportunity. Example: Despite her lack of experience, Jane was still considered a borderline candidate for the internship due to her impressive academic record and strong letters of recommendation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Demonstrating interest can tip the scales toward admission if you are a borderline candidate.

The New York Times

True, Gomez is 29 and perhaps a borderline candidate for the 2014 World Cup.

The New York Times

But at the float price of 330p, or even 400p, it would be a borderline candidate.

The Guardian - Business

He is a borderline candidate with a 3.90 E.R.A., higher than any pitcher in the Hall of Fame.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Tessier could not say whether a letter had ever led an admissions board to accept a borderline candidate, citing the unique nature of each applicant's admissions review.

The New York Times

The recovery period makes him a borderline candidate for the semi-final, which will almost certainly be held on Sunday April 17, since Newcastle look bound to be playing in the last eight of the Uefa Cup three days earlier.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The government may want to subsidise that search, or subsidise loans and bursaries, or provide remedial teaching for borderline candidates.

The Economist

The government believed the previous measurement was "distorting teaching and qualifications" by encouraging schools to focus on C/D borderline candidates, to the detriment of more able students.

The Guardian

benmorse adds: And of these 45,000, I'll wager most not all were identified as C/D borderline candidates before the grade shift.

The Guardian

I'll bet there are borderline candidates out there who hire someone to pose as a tracker just so people will think they're being taken seriously.

The New York Times

As it get towards the end of the recruitment period and most places have been filled, however, the recruitment team will be more wary of spending time looking at borderline candidates so it pays to get your applications in early.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a candidate as "borderline candidate", provide specific details about their strengths and weaknesses to justify the assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "borderline candidate" as a vague label. Always clarify which specific criteria the candidate barely meets or fails to meet to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borderline candidate" functions primarily as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "candidate". It indicates that the candidate in question possesses qualifications that are only marginally sufficient or acceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "borderline candidate" is a commonly used phrase to describe an individual whose qualifications are just adequate for a specific role or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Its function is descriptive, providing an assessment of the candidate's suitability, often implying uncertainty or marginal acceptance. While appropriate for various registers, it's predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal contexts. To avoid vagueness, it's essential to clarify the specific criteria the "borderline candidate" barely meets or fails to meet. Semantically related alternatives include "marginal candidate" and "fringe candidate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginal candidate

Replaces "borderline" with "marginal", suggesting a slightly weaker position.

fringe candidate

Implies the candidate is on the edge of acceptability.

dubious candidate

Highlights the uncertainty or doubt surrounding the candidate's suitability.

questionable candidate

Similar to 'dubious', emphasizing the uncertainty of the candidate's qualifications.

weak candidate

Directly states the candidate's lack of strength.

borderline contender

Uses "contender" instead of "candidate", implying a competitive situation.

minimally qualified candidate

More explicitly states the candidate barely meets the minimum requirements.

borderline applicant

Synonymous, but used when referring to someone applying for a position.

borderline candidacy

Refers to the state or condition of being a borderline candidate, rather than the person.

limited candidate

Highlights constraints in the candidate's profile.

FAQs

How to use "borderline candidate" in a sentence?

You can use "borderline candidate" to describe someone who barely meets the requirements for a position, such as: "Despite her lack of experience, she was a "borderline candidate" due to her strong academic record."

What does "borderline candidate" mean?

A "borderline candidate" is someone whose qualifications or suitability for a position, opportunity, or role are just barely acceptable; they are on the edge of meeting the necessary criteria.

What can I say instead of "borderline candidate"?

You can use alternatives like "marginal candidate", "fringe candidate", or "minimally qualified candidate" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "borderline candidate" in formal writing?

Yes, "borderline candidate" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when discussing assessments or qualifications. However, ensure you provide context and justification for the assessment. More direct language such as "weak candidate" can also be suitable.