the candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the candidate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a person who is being considered for a position, role, or opportunity, such as in job applications or elections. Example: "After reviewing all the applications, we have selected the candidate who best fits our requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The candidate?

The New York Times

I'm the candidate.

The New York Times

The candidate was pleasant.

The New York Times

Develop the candidate profile.

The New York Times

The candidate smiled.

The New York Times

But blame the candidate, too.

The Economist

"I'm proud of the candidate.

The New York Times

Some of the candidate bldgs.

The New Yorker

She wished the candidate luck.

The New York Times

"Chávez will be the candidate.

The New York Times

(The candidate was Ed Clark).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the candidate" when you need to refer to a specific person being considered for a position, especially when their identity is already known within the context. For instance, in a political debate, it's appropriate to say, "The candidate outlined their economic plan".

Common error

Avoid using "a candidate" when referring to a specific, already-identified person. "A candidate" implies any person who might fit the role, whereas "the candidate" refers to a particular individual.

Linguistic Context

"The candidate" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "the" is a definite article specifying a particular person being considered for a role. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is widely used and grammatically sound. For instance, "The candidate smiled" refers to a specific person applying for something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the candidate" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to denote a specific person seeking a role, whether in politics, employment, or other contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely recognized and used across various domains, especially in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business settings. While alternatives like "the applicant" or "the nominee" exist, "the candidate" remains a common and effective choice for its generality and clarity. Ensure you use "the" to refer to a specific person being discussed, avoiding "a candidate" when specificity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the nominee

Focuses specifically on someone who has been formally proposed for a position.

the applicant

Emphasizes someone who has applied for a job or opportunity.

the contender

Highlights the competitive aspect of the selection process.

the aspirant

Implies someone who has ambitions for a role, perhaps before formal application.

the prospect

Suggests someone seen as a potential or likely choice.

the selectee

Refers to someone who is chosen.

the possibility

Focuses on the fact that something may happen.

the competitor

Highlights the competitive nature.

the participant

Refers to a person involved in something.

the entrant

Focuses on someone who is entering a competition.

FAQs

How do I use "the candidate" in a sentence?

Use "the candidate" to refer to a specific person who is applying for a job, running in an election, or being considered for a role. For example, "The interviewer asked "the candidate" about their previous experience".

What are some alternatives to "the candidate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the applicant", "the nominee", "the contender", or "the aspirant".

Is it correct to say "a candidate" instead of "the candidate"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a candidate" refers to any person applying or running, while "the candidate" refers to a specific, identified person. For example, "We need to find a candidate" (any qualified person) vs. "The candidate gave a speech" (a specific person).

When should I use "candidate" without the article "the"?

Use "candidate" without "the" in general statements or when referring to the role itself. For example, "Experience is an important attribute for a candidate" or "Each candidate must submit a resume".