formal candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

"formal candidate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an individual who has officially applied for a position or position through a formal process. For example, "Robert is a formal candidate for the position of Director of Sales at our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

She agreed to resign from the committee and go through formal candidate screening.

The New York Times

The European Union agreed two months ago to make Turkey a formal candidate for membership.

The New York Times

It may even win formal candidate status by the end of 2010.

The Economist

In the gym here, backers said they saw in her teary eyes a reason to embrace this sometimes formal candidate.

The New York Times

Iceland could then become a formal candidate in late 2009, when Sweden (another ally) holds the rotating EU presidency, and a full EU member by 2011.

The Economist

Depending on its choice, it could achieve formal candidate status quite quickly or be out in the cold for years.The hardest case of all is Turkey.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That leaves Platini's bid hanging by a thread, with only two other formal candidates.

Independent

A candidate to challenge Mr Rajoy, the prime minister, in 2015 will be chosen next year at a primary election that still has no formal candidates.

The Economist

Ballot procedures differ widely, ranging from marking the names of preferred candidates to crossing out those not preferred or writing in the names of persons who are not formal candidates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It all contrasts starkly with an end to political violence in another troubled region: Northern Ireland.ETA's political ally, Batasuna, has no formal candidates in the election, thanks to a ban imposed in 2003.

The Economist

The 16 plus 1 group contains 11 European Union member states, five of which use the euro, and four of which are formal candidates for membership in the bloc.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formal candidate", ensure the context clearly indicates the process or criteria that make the candidacy 'formal'. For example, specify the governing body or rules that establish the formality.

Common error

Avoid using "formal candidate" when the selection process is informal or based on personal connections. Reserve it for scenarios involving applications, screening, or official nominations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formal candidate" functions as a noun phrase, where "formal" modifies the noun "candidate". It describes someone who has officially entered a selection process. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formal candidate" accurately describes someone who has officially entered a selection process and met specified criteria. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While "formal candidate" appears more frequently in News & Media and Academia, contexts, it avoids highly technical or casual language. Remember to reserve its use for situations involving established procedures, as explained by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official nominee

Replaces "candidate" with a synonym that implies official selection.

official applicant

Focuses on the application aspect, emphasizing the official nature of the submission.

declared contender

Highlights the act of declaring candidacy and the competitive aspect.

registered candidate

Emphasizes the act of registering as a candidate, implying a formal process.

duly nominated candidate

Adds emphasis to the appropriate and formal nomination of the candidate.

formally nominated individual

Replaces "candidate" with a more generic term and rearranges the sentence.

officially recognized candidate

Stresses the recognition of the candidate by an official body.

the confirmed candidate

Emphasizes that the candidate has been confirmed to be the official option.

nominee of record

Uses more legalistic language to indicate the candidate is officially recorded.

candidate by formal procedure

Uses more specific terminology to indicate procedure.

FAQs

How to use "formal candidate" in a sentence?

You can use "formal candidate" to describe someone who has officially applied and met the initial requirements for a position or membership. For example, "She became a "formal candidate" after submitting her application and passing the preliminary screening".

What can I say instead of "formal candidate"?

You can use alternatives like "official nominee", "official applicant", or "declared contender" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "formal candidate" or "informal candidate"?

"Formal candidate" and "informal candidate" are both grammatically correct, but they describe different scenarios. "Formal candidate" implies an official process, while "informal candidate" would suggest a more casual or unofficial consideration.

What's the difference between "formal candidate" and "prospective candidate"?

A "prospective candidate" is someone who is considering becoming a candidate. A "formal candidate" is someone who has taken official steps to be considered, such as submitting an application or meeting initial qualifications.