two candidates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two candidates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a pair of individuals who are competing for a position, role, or opportunity. Example: "In the upcoming election, there are two candidates running for mayor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are two candidates.

The New Yorker

Two candidates, nevertheless, emerge.

The Economist

Only two candidates matter.

The Economist

Two candidates.

The New York Times

Two candidates for mayor have already visited.

The New York Times

At least two candidates have been killed.

The New York Times

The two candidates have very different visions.

Independent

And these two candidates aren't combustible.

The New York Times

Moderates were divided between the two candidates.

The New York Times

The two candidates emphasize starkly different themes.

The New York Times

Already, that tension has scuttled two candidates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing elections or selections, ensure that you've clearly defined the context in which the "two candidates" are competing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "two candidates" without specifying what they are candidates for. Provide context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two candidates" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific number of individuals competing for a role or position. Ludwig examples demonstrate usage in contexts ranging from political elections to scientific selections. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "two candidates" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a pair of individuals competing for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for a variety of contexts, most frequently appearing in News & Media. When using this phrase, make sure to provide enough context about what the candidates are vying for. While generally neutral, the tone and source will influence its overall register. Remember that "pair of contenders", "couple of applicants", and "duo of aspirants" can be suitable alternatives, depending on the nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the pair of candidates

Adds "pair of" to emphasize the two individuals.

a couple of candidates

Uses "a couple of" instead of "two".

pair of contenders

Replaces "candidates" with "contenders", emphasizing the competitive aspect.

the two contenders

Adds "the" for emphasis and uses "contenders" instead of "candidates".

brace of nominees

Uses "nominees" instead of "candidates", suitable when the individuals have been formally nominated.

the competing duo

Uses "competing duo" to emphasize that they are a pair that is actively competing.

couple of applicants

Employs "applicants", appropriate when referring to individuals applying for a position or role.

duo of aspirants

Substitutes "candidates" with "aspirants", highlighting their ambition to achieve something.

two potential choices

Shifts the focus to the idea of choices instead of individuals.

two hopefuls

Replaces "candidates" with "hopefuls", focusing on their optimism.

FAQs

How can I use "two candidates" in a sentence?

You can use "two candidates" to refer to individuals competing for a position, role, or opportunity. For example: "In the upcoming election, there are "two candidates" running for mayor".

What's another way to say "two candidates"?

You can use alternatives such as "pair of contenders", "couple of applicants", or "duo of aspirants" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the two candidates" instead of "two candidates"?

Both ""two candidates"" and "the two candidates" are grammatically correct. Adding "the" specifies that you are referring to a specific set of two candidates already known or defined in the context.

What if there are more than two candidates? What phrase should I use instead of "two candidates"?

If there are more than two candidates, you can use phrases like "several candidates", "multiple candidates", or "a number of candidates".