excellent candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excellent candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is highly qualified or suitable for a particular position or role. Example: "After reviewing all the applications, we unanimously agreed that Sarah is the excellent candidate for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's an excellent candidate".

The New York Times

An excellent candidate from a strong field.

The Guardian - Business

"I thought he was an excellent candidate.

The Guardian

"This guy sounds like an excellent candidate".

The New York Times

Suresh Rajan is also an excellent candidate and deserves #3.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its properties make it an excellent candidate for further investigation.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Together, these combine to make her an excellent candidate for the program.

Harvard Business Review

It is therefore an excellent candidate pathway for modulating positional information in the tissue.

Nature

Each did a spate of tests and pronounced me an excellent candidate.

The New York Times

I think they would be an excellent candidate in the future.

The Guardian - Sport

The Tory leader praised him as an "excellent candidate" whom the party would "unite behind".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a candidate, specify why they are an "excellent candidate" by highlighting key skills, experiences, and qualities that align with the requirements of the role or position.

Common error

Avoid simply stating someone is an "excellent candidate" without providing concrete evidence or specific examples to support this claim. This can make your assessment seem superficial and unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excellent candidate" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "excellent" modifies the noun "candidate". It is used to describe and characterize a person applying for a role, highlighting their suitability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Social Media

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excellent candidate" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone highly suitable for a role. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various domains like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, positively assessing qualifications. When using "excellent candidate", providing specific reasons and examples strengthens the statement. Alternatives like "ideal applicant" or "top contender" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ideal applicant

Focuses on the person applying and their suitability.

top contender

Highlights the competitive aspect, suggesting the person is among the best.

outstanding prospect

Emphasizes the potential and future success of the candidate.

prime applicant

Similar to "ideal", but with a slightly stronger connotation of being perfectly suited.

highly qualified individual

Stresses the qualifications and expertise of the person.

well-suited person

A more general term indicating a good match for the role.

strong applicant

Highlights the applicant's general strength and capabilities.

exceptional choice

Focuses on the decision-making aspect, suggesting the person is a superior selection.

fitting nominee

Suitable when referring to a nomination process.

promising individual

Emphasizes potential and future performance.

FAQs

How can I use "excellent candidate" in a sentence?

You can use "excellent candidate" to describe someone highly suitable for a position. For example, "After the interview, we found her to be an "excellent candidate" for the marketing manager position".

What are some alternatives to "excellent candidate"?

Alternatives include "ideal applicant", "top contender", or "highly qualified individual", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "excellent candidate" or "an excellent candidate"?

"An excellent candidate" is grammatically correct, as "candidate" is a singular, countable noun and requires the indefinite article "an" because it begins with a vowel sound. The definite article can be used if referring to a previously named candidate.

What makes someone an "excellent candidate" versus a "good candidate"?

An "excellent candidate" stands out as exceptionally qualified, exceeding the typical requirements and expectations. A "good candidate" meets the basic criteria but may not possess the same level of distinction or unique advantages.