expedient candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expedient candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a candidate who is suitable or advantageous for a particular situation or purpose, often implying a practical or convenient choice. Example: "In the current political climate, the party believes that the most expedient candidate for the election is someone with strong negotiation skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

An extreme and expedient candidate, who lacks the judgment and the vision so vital in the Oval Office".

The New York Times

"He is an extreme and expedient candidate who lacks the judgment and vision so vital for the Oval Office," Mr. Kerry wrote of Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

An extreme and expedient candidate who lacks the judgment and the vision so vital to the Oval Office, the most inexperienced foreign policy twosome to run for president and vice president in decades.

The Washington Post

While it may have been politically expedient, candidate – and now President – Trump was absolutely wrong when he said that "trade reform and the negotiation of great trade deals is the quickest way to bring our jobs back to our country".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The strong but finally expedient words of candidate Obama on Darfur also took the steam out of a powerful American advocacy movement; and Khartoum worked hard to make the region inaccessible to human rights reporters, journalists, and others--and harshly threatened or abused relief organizations that might speak out about the ghastly humanitarian realities on the ground.

HuffPost

With three-quarters of Americans calling the drug war a failure, this would not only send the right signal to our allies abroad, but would be a politically expedient move for either candidate.

Huffington Post

More importantly, the treaty tilted the balance of power towards the European Parliament, which has sought to aggrandise itself further through the expedient of "Spitzenkandidaten", German for "leading candidates".

The Economist

Then we call for careful validations and expedient adaptations for local circumstances of the most promising candidates.

Plosone

He would be counting, instead, on Democrats embracing a candidate from an ideologically and culturally traditional caste as an expedient for defeating Mr. Trump.

The New York Times

Republican dissatisfaction with the President, and with Washington more generally, has expressed itself in a desire for novelty, even though a candidate lacking a long record of awkward Senate votes or expedient statehouse concessions might also turn out to be a candidate lacking media-savvy handlers, or first-rate vetters, or a coherent position on Libya.

The New Yorker

In fact, while some Republican candidates, including Mitt Romney, have beat a hasty and expedient retreat from Mourdock's statement, though not from Mourdock himself, many Republicans are in complete agreement with him on the issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expedient candidate", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific advantage or practicality they offer. For example, are they expedient because of their fundraising abilities, policy positions, or charisma?

Common error

Avoid using "expedient candidate" when you intend to convey genuine admiration or deep conviction. The term often implies a calculated choice rather than a heartfelt endorsement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expedient candidate" functions as a noun phrase where "expedient" modifies the noun "candidate". According to Ludwig AI, it correctly describes a candidate who is suitable or advantageous for a particular purpose. Examples in Ludwig show its use in political contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expedient candidate" describes a candidate chosen primarily for strategic or practical advantages. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While the phrase is not very common, appearing mostly in news and media sources, it serves to highlight the calculated nature of the selection process. When employing this phrase, writers should be aware of its potential implication of convenience over merit, tailoring their usage to align with the intended message. Related phrases include "strategic nominee" and "pragmatic choice for office".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strategic nominee

Emphasizes the calculated and planned nature of the candidate's selection.

opportune contender

Highlights the advantageous timing and suitability of the candidate.

pragmatic choice for office

Focuses on the practical and realistic considerations behind the candidate's selection.

convenient option for leadership

Suggests the candidate was chosen for ease and suitability in a leadership role.

politically advantageous aspirant

Underscores the political benefits and strategic gains associated with the candidate.

tactical applicant

Highlights the calculated and strategic nature of the candidate's selection, implying a specific goal or outcome.

suitable nominee

Focuses on the candidate's appropriateness and qualifications for the position.

advantageous prospect

Emphasizes the positive and beneficial aspects of having this candidate.

instrumental figure

Highlights the candidate's importance and role in achieving specific goals.

resourceful contender

Focuses on the candidate's ability to effectively utilize resources and overcome challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "expedient candidate" to describe someone chosen for a specific advantage or practicality. For example, "The party chose an "expedient candidate" to appeal to undecided voters".

What are some alternatives to "expedient candidate"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "strategic nominee", "pragmatic choice for office", or "politically advantageous aspirant".

What does it imply when someone is described as an "expedient candidate"?

Describing someone as an ""expedient candidate"" often suggests that their selection was based on strategic or practical reasons, rather than solely on merit or popular support.

Is it negative to call someone an "expedient candidate"?

It can be. While not inherently negative, the term ""expedient candidate"" can imply that the candidate was chosen for convenience or political gain, potentially suggesting a lack of deeper qualities or convictions. The connotation depends heavily on context.