candidates for the best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "candidates for the best" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing individuals or options that are being considered for a top position or recognition in a particular context. Example: "The nominees for the award include several strong candidates for the best in their respective categories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In my view, every organization's hiring process — from Microsoft to PS 90 to everything in between — should screen candidates for the best cultural fit.

Harvard Business Review

Over 15 days of competition at the World Mind Sports Games in Beijing, which ended last Friday, one of the candidates for the best defense occurred on this deal.

The New York Times

Candidates for the best revival of a musical have also groused that "42nd Street" is getting an unfair advantage by being prominently featured in the opening number, part of which was recorded on Tuesday night in the Times Square subway station, utterly confusing scores of late-night commuters.

The New York Times

Plainly some candidates for the best life fall down in the face of these criteria.

SEP

Generally, scientists overseas are more expensive to interview, the logistics can be more complex, and scientists abroad can become disconnected from the networks that support favored candidates for the best jobs.

Science Magazine

While candidates for the best mortgage rates have good to excellent credit and a low debt-to-income ratio, they aren't the only ones qualifying for home loans.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

My candidate for the best New York film ever was shown on a cable channel the other day.

The New York Times

Take my candidate for the best Christmas offering of 2015, The Poke's irreverent reworking of the John Lewis ad.

The Guardian

The diagramed deal, which helped the Jacobs team build its early lead, provided a strong candidate for the best opening lead of the year.

The New York Times - Arts

On the diagramed deal Goldman made a superb play that will be a strong candidate for the best defensive move of the year.

The New York Times

Before the Berlin Wall came down and communism collapsed across central Europe, few would have imagined that Czechoslovakia might be a candidate for the best country of 1989.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "candidates for the best", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for 'best'. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "candidates for the best" in purely subjective scenarios where 'best' is a matter of personal opinion. Instead, opt for phrases that acknowledge subjectivity, such as "my favorite" or "highly recommended".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "candidates for the best" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a group of individuals or items being considered for a superior position or award. Ludwig confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "candidates for the best" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe individuals or options under consideration for a top position or award. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. To ensure clarity, define the criteria for 'best' whenever using this phrase and avoid overuse in purely subjective contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, noting its appropriateness in various situations. Alternatives such as "top contenders" or "leading options" may offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential top contenders

Replaces "candidates" with "contenders" and "best" with "top", emphasizing the competitive aspect.

nominees for the top spot

Substitutes "candidates" with "nominees" and rephrases "best" as "top spot", focusing on formal selection.

leading options for excellence

Replaces "candidates" with "leading options" and "the best" with "excellence", highlighting quality and superiority.

prime selections for the highest rank

Uses "prime selections" instead of "candidates" and specifies "highest rank" as the desired outcome.

top picks for the premier choice

Emphasizes selection by using "top picks" and reiterates quality with "premier choice".

elite prospects for superior status

Highlights the high caliber of the candidates by using "elite prospects" and focuses on achieving "superior status".

frontrunners for the ultimate prize

Uses sports-related terminology to showcase the competitive environment and high stakes.

preferred individuals for peak performance

Focuses on the qualities sought in the "candidates", emphasizing "peak performance" as the goal.

shortlisted applicants for the greatest achievement

Highlights the selection process and replaces "best" with "greatest achievement", focusing on accomplishments.

finest possibilities for optimal outcome

Focuses on potential and results by using "finest possibilities" and emphasizing the "optimal outcome".

FAQs

How can I use "candidates for the best" in a sentence?

You can use "candidates for the best" to describe a group being considered for a top position or award. For instance, "The nominees are all strong "candidates for the best" director award".

What are some alternatives to saying "candidates for the best"?

Alternatives include "top contenders", "leading options", or "prime selections", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "candidate to the best" instead of "candidates for the best"?

No, the correct preposition is "for". "Candidates for the best" is the grammatically sound and widely accepted form. "Candidate to the best" is incorrect.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "candidates for the best"?

It may be inappropriate in informal or subjective contexts where a more casual phrase like "my favorite" or "top pick" would be more suitable.