to be in the running

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be in the running" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be a candidate or contender for something, usually in a competition or race. Example: After months of training and hard work, John is now in the running for the marathon next month. In politics, there are several candidates in the running for the upcoming election. The company received over a hundred applications for the open position, but only ten are still in the running for the job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Directors rumoured to be in the running include Christopher Nolan.

The Guardian - Film

Team GB's Natalie Powell aims to be in the running.

The Guardian - Sport

It's amazing to be in the running for this prize.

The Guardian - Music

Eight companies are thought to be in the running.

The Guardian - Business

He hadn't expected even to be in the running for the scholarship, let alone receive one.

Harvard University

(Pichai had been rumoured to be in the running for the vacant position of Twitter CEO).

Independent

There are twelve candidates; five of them are considered to be in the running.

The New Yorker

Three Brits are likely to be in the running for individual prizes.

Independent

Users can sign up to the AppleSeed programme to be in the running for the beta.

Independent

The Julii Caesares did not seem to be in the running.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Blake said: "He's amazing to be in the running for this prize after so many albums.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be in the running" when you want to indicate that someone or something is a possible candidate for a position, award, or opportunity. It implies that they have a realistic chance of being selected.

Common error

Avoid using "to be in the running" interchangeably with phrases like "to be in charge" or "to run the show". The former indicates candidacy, while the latter suggests leadership or control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be in the running" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating that someone or something is a potential candidate or contender for a position, award, or opportunity. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be in the running" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe someone or something with a realistic chance of success in a competition or selection process. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to formal business and academia. The phrase is generally neutral in register and has several close alternatives, such as "to be a contender" or "to be a candidate", although each carries its own slight nuance. Remember to use it when indicating a genuine possibility of success, and avoid confusing it with phrases suggesting leadership or control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be a contender

Implies a strong possibility of winning or succeeding.

to be a candidate

More formal and direct, suitable for official contexts.

to be in contention

Slightly more formal and emphasizes the ongoing nature of the competition.

to be in the frame

Common in British English, meaning to be considered as a possibility.

to be a prospect

Highlights the potential and future possibilities.

to be under consideration

Indicates that someone or something is being actively evaluated.

to be a possible choice

Direct and simple, emphasizing the chance of being selected.

to be among the hopefuls

Highlights that there are many other people that also have a similar goal.

to have a shot at

Less formal, emphasizing the opportunity to succeed.

to stand a chance

Focuses on the likelihood of success, often implying a degree of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "to be in the running" in a sentence?

You can use "to be in the running" to indicate someone or something has a chance of succeeding or being selected. For example, "After the initial interviews, only five candidates are still "to be in the running" for the CEO position".

What does it mean to be in the running?

To be in the running means to be a potential candidate or contender for a particular position, award, or opportunity. It suggests a realistic possibility of success or selection.

Which is correct, "to be in the running" or "to be on the running"?

"To be in the running" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "To be on the running" is not a standard English phrase and would not be understood in the same way.

What are some alternatives to "to be in the running"?

Alternatives include "to be a contender", "to be a candidate", or "to be in contention", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.