What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
candidate
Example
She is a strong candidate for the position of manager. [candidate: noun]
Example
He is currently interviewing candidates for the job opening. [candidates: plural noun]
contender
Example
He is one of the top contenders in the boxing championship. [contender: noun]
Example
The team is a strong contender for the championship title. [contender: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Candidate is more commonly used than contender in everyday language, especially in professional or official settings. Candidate is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while contender is less common and more specific to competitive situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between candidate and contender?
While candidate is generally more formal and commonly used in professional or official settings, contender can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing for more flexibility in its usage.
