suitors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suitors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who are seeking to win someone's affection or hand in marriage, often in a romantic context. Example: "In the story, the princess had many suitors vying for her attention, each trying to prove their worth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In December, it emerged that Desmond was once again looking at testing the market for a potential sale of the four titles, tasking his usual City adviser, Barclays, to sound out prospective suitors.

The Guardian

Last year All3Media unsuccessfully attempted to find a buyer after setting a sky-high price tag of £750m with early suitors including Garvie's new employer SPT.

The Guardian

There will be suitors for the Football League's manager of the decade.

The Guardian - Sport

Co-owned by Torino and Juventus, he has a long list of would-be suitors but the Granata had hoped to persuade him to stay and test his partnership with Cerci in Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

It is contemplating a $2 billion investment plan for the next 5-15 years, which would more than triple its local production.In this section Net dreams The dirty work Unwelcome suitors Where's the beef?

The Economist

AT A recent conference, Ron Sommer of Deutsche Telekom, Germany's former telephone monopoly, joked that suitors in the telecoms industry now need fat chequebooks and a bunch of flowers.

The Economist

Predictably, Italian suitors began to line up in preparation for a counterbid.Deutsche Bank has a small bank in Italy, which it bought from Bank of America in 1986.

The Economist

The easiest place to build new reactors is next to existing ones: locals (who often work at the plant) tend to be enthusiastic, and there is easy access to grid connections and less risk of protracted planning battles.Rumours about the identity of potential suitors swirl.

The Economist

While Qantas may be using the announcement to flush out suitors in the Asian airline market, could BA be reminding Iberia that it has other options if their European deal falls through?

The Economist

Mr Murdoch's offer was pitched high to deter other suitors.

The Economist

And Havas is widely expected to raise its own bid, although it was staying mum this week.Europe's third-biggest media-buying agency, and one of the few that is still independent, Tempus would fit neatly with either of its suitors.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suitors" in a business context, ensure it accurately reflects entities actively pursuing an acquisition or investment, rather than simply expressing general interest.

Common error

Avoid using "suitors" to describe general customers or clients. Reserve it for situations where there's an active pursuit of a deal, partnership, or acquisition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suitors" is as a plural noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to multiple individuals or entities who are actively seeking something, often affection or acquisition. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in both romantic and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suitors" functions as a plural noun denoting individuals or entities actively pursuing something, often romantic or transactional endeavors. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When employing "suitors", ensure it accurately reflects active pursuit rather than general interest, and avoid misapplication in contexts where the term is not appropriate. While alternatives like "wooers", "prospective buyers", and "potential investors" exist, the most suitable substitute depends on the specific context. As Ludwig's examples show, understanding the nuances of "suitors" allows for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wooers

Emphasizes the romantic pursuit aspect.

Prospective buyers

Focuses on a business acquisition context.

Potential investors

Highlights the investment angle.

Contenders

Implies competition among those seeking something.

Applicants

Refers to individuals formally applying for a position or opportunity.

Claimants

Highlights individuals making a claim, often legal.

Admirers

Highlights those who have a strong liking to something or someone

Pursuers

Implies a chase or active pursuit.

Petitioners

Describes those formally requesting something.

Lovers

Focuses only on romantic and passionate intention

FAQs

How to use "suitors" in a sentence?

You can use "suitors" to describe individuals vying for someone's affection, as in "The princess had many suitors". It can also refer to companies interested in acquiring another, such as "Several companies emerged as suitors for the struggling tech firm".

What can I say instead of "suitors"?

You can use alternatives like "wooers" in a romantic context or "prospective buyers" or "potential investors" in a business acquisition context depending on the situation.

Is "suitors" formal or informal?

"Suitors" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation. In literature or historical discussions, it can be neutral. In business, it's generally considered professional.

What's the difference between "suitors" and "admirers"?

"Suitors" implies an active pursuit of a relationship or deal, while "admirers" simply suggests a feeling of appreciation or liking. A person can be an admirer without actively seeking a relationship, but a suitor is actively trying to win someone's favor.