unlikely candidate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unlikely candidate" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something that is not expected to succeed or be chosen for a particular role or position. For example, "Despite his lack of experience, he was considered an unlikely candidate for the promotion." Alternative expressions include "surprising choice" and "unexpected contender."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She seemed an unlikely candidate for clemency.

The Guardian

I was an unlikely candidate for this fellowship.

Cornell University

Paul Levy was an unlikely candidate to run BIDMC.

Harvard Business Review

Gelb was an unlikely candidate for the Met's top job.

The New Yorker

Fournier seems an unlikely candidate for such a program.

The New Yorker

Bonnie is an unlikely candidate for an experimental drug study.

The New York Times - Books

Chavez was an unlikely candidate for a game-turning hit.

The New York Times - Sports

In my case, I seemed an unlikely candidate for addiction.

The New York Times - Health

The GS seems an unlikely candidate for trail riding.

The New York Times

Yet despite the popularity of cosmetic surgery, West remained, on the surface, an unlikely candidate.

The Washington Post

In a David-vs.-Goliath matchup, a bank is an unlikely candidate for the underdog.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase works well in diverse fields such as politics, sports, medical studies, and corporate leadership to indicate a lack of traditional credentials.

Common error

Avoid using "unlikely candidate" only when referring to political elections. In modern English, it is used broadly for anyone or anything (even abstract concepts like a drug study or a country's economy) that is not expected to fit a specific role or outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlikely candidate" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or the object of a sentence. It combines the adjective "unlikely" (modifying probability) with the noun "candidate" (a person or thing under consideration). Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically standard construction used to frame a subject against a set of expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unlikely candidate" is a highly effective linguistic tool for describing individuals or entities that succeed despite lacking traditional qualifications or expectations. Ludwig AI analysis shows that the phrase is most prevalent in News & Media, where it is used to add flavor and depth to profiles and reports. It is grammatically sound, widely understood, and versatile enough to be used in contexts ranging from political analysis to scientific drug studies. When using this phrase, writers should aim to emphasize the discrepancy between the subject's traits and the role they are filling, ensuring a compelling narrative for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improbable choice

Focuses on the low likelihood of the selection itself rather than the person's status.

unexpected contender

Emphasizes the element of surprise in a competitive environment.

dark horse

Uses an idiomatic expression for a little-known person who unexpectedly wins.

surprising prospect

Shifts the focus to the future potential or possibility of the individual.

implausible nominee

A more formal and slightly stronger way to express that a selection seems hard to believe.

doubtful participant

Highlights skepticism regarding the person's involvement in a specific activity.

long shot

A more colloquial term for someone with a very low chance of succeeding.

questionable fit

Suggests that the person's skills or background may not align with the role requirements.

remote possibility

Refers more broadly to an event or choice that is very unlikely to occur.

unforeseen applicant

Specifically refers to someone whose application was not anticipated.

FAQs

How to use "unlikely candidate" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun phrase to describe someone who defies expectations, such as: "Despite his lack of experience, he was an "unlikely candidate" for the executive role."

What can I say instead of "unlikely candidate"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "<a href="/s/improbable+choice" target="_blank" rel="alternative">improbable choice", "<a href="/s/unexpected+contender" target="_blank" rel="alternative">unexpected contender", or "<a href="/s/dark+horse" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dark horse".

Is the phrase "unlikely candidate" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to formal. It appears frequently in prestigious publications like <a href="/s/The+New+York+Times" target="_blank" rel="alternative">The New York Times and <a href="/s/The+Economist" target="_blank" rel="alternative">The Economist.

What is the difference between "unlikely candidate" and "dark horse"?

An "unlikely candidate" is simply someone not expected to succeed, while a "<a href="/s/dark+horse" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dark horse" is specifically someone who was previously unknown but eventually wins or performs very well.