my doctoral candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my doctoral candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a student who is pursuing a doctoral degree under your supervision or guidance. Example: "As my doctoral candidate, Sarah has been conducting groundbreaking research in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So for people like my doctoral candidate friend, taking a cleaning hiatus is a bad idea.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I know that my name -- Jennifer -- at the top of my resume will play as much a factor in determining my worth as a doctoral candidate as the various papers on which I am a listed author.

Huffington Post

I discussed the subject over dinner one night with my friend Sonia Ferhani, a doctoral candidate in English literature at the École Normale Supérieure.

The New Yorker

Dear Alice, Q: I am a doctoral candidate in my fourth year of studies, and I am just now starting to make real progress on a project that is interesting to me.

Science Magazine

Dear MentorDoctor, I am a minority doctoral candidate and I plan to defend my thesis this coming summer.

Science Magazine

"My opinion, this policy is just what bin Laden wants," said Mr. Liu, a doctoral candidate in chemistry at Berkeley.

The New York Times

doctoral candidate in nuclear physics.

The New York Times

The writer is a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois.

The New York Times - Sports

She is a doctoral candidate there in the same field.

The New York Times - Style

She is a doctoral candidate in political science at Columbia.

The New York Times

I am now a first-year doctoral candidate at Durham University.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a doctoral student under your guidance, use "my doctoral candidate" to clearly indicate your role as their supervisor, especially in formal writing or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "my doctoral candidate" when referring to a student who has already completed their doctoral degree; use "my former doctoral student" or "my PhD graduate" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my doctoral candidate" functions as a possessive phrase identifying a student who is under the speaker's supervision while pursuing a doctoral degree. As Ludwig indicates, this usage is correct and can be found in various contexts. The possessive pronoun "my" indicates ownership or a close relationship in a supervisory capacity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my doctoral candidate" is a grammatically sound way to refer to a student under one's supervision during their doctoral studies. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable. While it may not be as common as alternatives like "my PhD student", it maintains a level of formality suitable for academic and professional settings. When choosing between these phrases, consider the context and your desired level of formality to ensure clear and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my PhD student

More colloquial alternative using the abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy.

my doctoral student

Synonymous alternative, replacing "candidate" with "student".

the doctoral student I supervise

More explicit phrase indicating the supervisory role.

my graduate student

Broader term referring to any student pursuing a graduate degree, not exclusively a doctorate.

the PhD candidate I advise

Replaces supervision with advisement and specifies 'PhD'.

my doctoral advisee

A more formal term for a student being advised at the doctoral level.

my research student

Highlights research involvement, applicable if the candidate is actively involved in research.

the doctoral candidate I am mentoring

Emphasizes a mentoring relationship beyond formal supervision.

the doctoral researcher I guide

Focuses on research and guiding the candidate's work.

my prospective doctoral graduate

Alternative for mentioning future graduate after finishing the doctoral studies.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "my doctoral candidate"?

It refers to a student who is currently pursuing a doctoral degree and is being supervised or advised by the speaker.

Is it appropriate to use "my doctoral candidate" in formal writing?

Yes, it's suitable for formal and academic writing, especially when emphasizing the supervisory role. In informal settings, alternatives like "my PhD student" or "my doctoral student" may be more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "my doctoral candidate"?

Alternatives include "my PhD student", "my doctoral student", or "my graduate student", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How does "my doctoral candidate" differ from "my doctoral graduate"?

"My doctoral candidate" refers to someone currently working towards their doctorate, while "my doctoral graduate" refers to someone who has already completed their doctoral studies.