the applicant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the applicant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a person who has applied for a position, program, or opportunity. Example: "The applicant submitted their resume and cover letter for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The applicant pool seems hungrier.

The New York Times

Can the applicant work independently?

Nature

The applicant will have to decide.

The Guardian - Business

Was it the applicant or the sponsor?

The Washington Post

Inevitably, the applicant pool is saturated.

The Washington Post

The applicant can submit further information to support its position.

The New York Times

"The applicant did not have a fair trial," court said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The application asks the applicant whether other household members buy and prepare food with the applicant in the home.

WikiHow

(What is decreasing, however, is the applicant-to-seat ratio).

Huffington Post

He does not always represent the applicant.

The Guardian

A curriculum vitae of the applicant/s.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure gender neutrality by using the singular they or repeating "the applicant" instead of using gender-specific pronouns like 'he' or 'she'.

Common error

Avoid using "the applicant" when a person has already moved past the application stage. Once an individual is being interviewed or shortlisted, "the candidate" is often more appropriate. Similarly, once they are hired, refer to them as 'the employee' or 'the new hire'.

Linguistic Context

As a noun phrase, "the applicant" serves as a singular identifying label for a person who initiates a formal process. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently functions as the agent (the doer) in sentences describing requirements or procedural steps. It is often paired with modal verbs like 'must', 'can' or 'should' to outline obligations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

A review of the evidence from Ludwig AI confirms that "the applicant" is a versatile and indispensable phrase in professional English. It is used with high frequency in Legal, Academic and Business contexts to denote a person seeking a specific outcome, such as a job, a grant or a visa. The Ludwig examples demonstrate that the phrase is particularly effective for outlining duties and procedural requirements with a tone of authority and objectivity. While terms like "the candidate" are popular in later stages of selection, "the applicant" remains the most precise term for the initial stage of any formal request or filing process. Writers should feel confident using it to ensure their prose remains clear, professional and inclusive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the candidate

Often used in employment or election contexts to imply a person being considered for selection

the petitioner

Specific to legal contexts or formal requests made to a court or authority

the claimant

Common in insurance or benefit scenarios where someone is asserting a right to something

the person applying

A more descriptive and slightly less formal alternative

the job seeker

Specifically refers to someone looking for employment

the prospective employee

Focuses on the potential future relationship with a company

the appellant

Legal term for someone who is appealing a previous decision

the requester

A neutral term for someone making a generic request for information or action

the nominee

Used when the person has been formally put forward for an award or position

the aspirant

A more literary term for someone with strong ambitions to reach a certain goal

FAQs

What can I say instead of "the applicant"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the candidate" in hiring, "the petitioner" in legal settings, or "the claimant" for insurance or benefits.

Is "the applicant" formal?

Yes, it is highly professional and standard in formal writing. For a more descriptive approach in less formal settings, you might use "the person applying".

What is the difference between "the applicant" and "the candidate"?

Generally, "the applicant" refers to anyone who has submitted an application, whereas "the candidate" implies someone who has been screened and is under serious consideration.

Which is correct: "the applicant" or "an applicant"?

Use "the applicant" when referring to a specific person already mentioned in your text. Use "an applicant" when speaking about any person in general who might apply.