Mixing
Does the word candidate have to refer to a person?
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up vote
18
down vote
favorite
I was helping a friend create a motivational letter for a scholarship and I wrote a sentence in the lines of: "(...), which would qualify my project as a candidate for the Program".
We changed this because my friend suggested the word candidate can only refer to a person. Notably the Merriam-Webster dictionary lists only the uses that refer to people.
However lately I've seen a few uses of the word when refering to objects, primarly in tech articles. So can this word be used in a broader sense?
meaning word-usage formality
asked Aug 21 at 8:22
Lurco
1996
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
18
down vote
favorite
I was helping a friend create a motivational letter for a scholarship and I wrote a sentence in the lines of: "(...), which would qualify my project as a candidate for the Program".
We changed this because my friend suggested the word candidate can only refer to a person. Notably the Merriam-Webster dictionary lists only the uses that refer to people.
However lately I've seen a few uses of the word when refering to objects, primarly in tech articles. So can this word be used in a broader sense?
meaning word-usage formality
asked Aug 21 at 8:22
Lurco
1996
32
Is this question is a good candidate for this site?
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:36
1
en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/candidate
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:37
27
Yes, every time you download a release candidate from Firefox or Apple or Microsoft, they deliver an actual human being that then lives inside your machine.
– RegDwigýt♦
Aug 21 at 11:19
5
@RegDwigýt - That's who's been eating my M&Ms!!
– Hot Licks
Aug 21 at 11:56
2
Why do you capitalise program?
– Peter Mortensen
Aug 21 at 19:20
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
18
down vote
favorite
up vote
18
down vote
favorite
I was helping a friend create a motivational letter for a scholarship and I wrote a sentence in the lines of: "(...), which would qualify my project as a candidate for the Program".
We changed this because my friend suggested the word candidate can only refer to a person. Notably the Merriam-Webster dictionary lists only the uses that refer to people.
However lately I've seen a few uses of the word when refering to objects, primarly in tech articles. So can this word be used in a broader sense?
meaning word-usage formality
asked Aug 21 at 8:22
Lurco
1996
I was helping a friend create a motivational letter for a scholarship and I wrote a sentence in the lines of: "(...), which would qualify my project as a candidate for the Program".
We changed this because my friend suggested the word candidate can only refer to a person. Notably the Merriam-Webster dictionary lists only the uses that refer to people.
However lately I've seen a few uses of the word when refering to objects, primarly in tech articles. So can this word be used in a broader sense?
meaning word-usage formality
asked Aug 21 at 8:22
Lurco
1996
edited Aug 21 at 12:20
asked Aug 21 at 8:22
Lurco
1996
asked Aug 21 at 8:22
Lurco
1996
asked Aug 21 at 8:22
Lurco
1996
1996
32
Is this question is a good candidate for this site?
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:36
1
en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/candidate
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:37
27
Yes, every time you download a release candidate from Firefox or Apple or Microsoft, they deliver an actual human being that then lives inside your machine.
– RegDwigýt♦
Aug 21 at 11:19
5
@RegDwigýt - That's who's been eating my M&Ms!!
– Hot Licks
Aug 21 at 11:56
2
Why do you capitalise program?
– Peter Mortensen
Aug 21 at 19:20
 |Â
show 5 more comments
32
Is this question is a good candidate for this site?
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:36
1
en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/candidate
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:37
27
Yes, every time you download a release candidate from Firefox or Apple or Microsoft, they deliver an actual human being that then lives inside your machine.
– RegDwigýt♦
Aug 21 at 11:19
5
@RegDwigýt - That's who's been eating my M&Ms!!
– Hot Licks
Aug 21 at 11:56
2
Why do you capitalise program?
– Peter Mortensen
Aug 21 at 19:20
32
32
Is this question is a good candidate for this site?
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:36
Is this question is a good candidate for this site?
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:36
1
1
en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/candidate
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:37
en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/candidate
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:37
27
27
Yes, every time you download a release candidate from Firefox or Apple or Microsoft, they deliver an actual human being that then lives inside your machine.
– RegDwigýt♦
Aug 21 at 11:19
Yes, every time you download a release candidate from Firefox or Apple or Microsoft, they deliver an actual human being that then lives inside your machine.
– RegDwigýt♦
Aug 21 at 11:19
5
5
@RegDwigýt - That's who's been eating my M&Ms!!
– Hot Licks
Aug 21 at 11:56
@RegDwigýt - That's who's been eating my M&Ms!!
– Hot Licks
Aug 21 at 11:56
2
2
Why do you capitalise program?
– Peter Mortensen
Aug 21 at 19:20
Why do you capitalise program?
– Peter Mortensen
Aug 21 at 19:20
 |Â
show 5 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
37
down vote
accepted
Collins definition 4 has the following (my emphasis):
A candidate is a person or thing that is regarded as being suitable for a particular purpose or as being likely to do or be a particular thing.
I use 'candidate' a lot in this sense, drawing up lists of software bug fixes to be considered for inclusion in a new release.
answered Aug 21 at 8:37
Charl E
3,144719
2
It's interesting that M-W only considers 'candidate' applying to a person though. Oxford, Cambridge and Collins (cited above) all have "person or thing" in their definitions. Perhaps because of the overwhelming use of 'candidate' in its application to American politics compared with other uses in AM-E?
– Charl E
Aug 21 at 8:44
It could simply be a matter of Collins considering candidate (when used for a thing) as a figurative (loose) usage, rather than a strictly defined one. People often use figurative or loose language (my computer died/a loud color/...) and its particular meaning (when different from the literal meaning) doesn't always make it into the dictionary.
– Flater
Aug 21 at 11:28
5
"Release candidate" is a commonly used term for a new version of software, which still has to be tested but if it passes the tests, would actually become a new release.
– ElmoVanKielmo
Aug 21 at 12:49
2
I think this M-W definition covers the non-person case: "one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified [, e.g.,] a candidate for surgery". The word "one" in this sense can refer to a thing rather than a person.
– Mark Foskey
Aug 21 at 17:15
@MarkFoskey I agree, but the fact that all of the examples they provide are of people is misleading.
– barbecue
Aug 21 at 18:59
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
The use of candidate for a project is, I believe, supported by all dictionaries. The difference between Merriam-Webster's and Oxford's or Collins' wording is no coincidence:
one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified
vs.
A person or thing ...
If we look up one we find, among others:
a certain indefinitely indicated person or thing.
It's simply that "one that ..." can be a person or thing; the quoted dictionaries agree, but M-W is more concise.
This is corroborated by M-W's entry for victim:
one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent: the schools are victims of the social system
answered Aug 21 at 16:10
Peter A. Schneider
1,531515
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
No, it can refer to any noun. If you want to further clarify, you can use candidate as an adjective: "...which would qualify (project name) as a candidate project for the program."
answered Aug 21 at 11:53
ehrte3h
491
Some of the information contained in this post requires additional references. Please edit to add citations to reliable sources that support the assertions made here. Unsourced material may be disputed or deleted.
I like the adjective idea, it sounds elegant.
– Peter A. Schneider
Aug 22 at 14:41
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
37
down vote
accepted
Collins definition 4 has the following (my emphasis):
A candidate is a person or thing that is regarded as being suitable for a particular purpose or as being likely to do or be a particular thing.
I use 'candidate' a lot in this sense, drawing up lists of software bug fixes to be considered for inclusion in a new release.
answered Aug 21 at 8:37
Charl E
3,144719
2
It's interesting that M-W only considers 'candidate' applying to a person though. Oxford, Cambridge and Collins (cited above) all have "person or thing" in their definitions. Perhaps because of the overwhelming use of 'candidate' in its application to American politics compared with other uses in AM-E?
– Charl E
Aug 21 at 8:44
It could simply be a matter of Collins considering candidate (when used for a thing) as a figurative (loose) usage, rather than a strictly defined one. People often use figurative or loose language (my computer died/a loud color/...) and its particular meaning (when different from the literal meaning) doesn't always make it into the dictionary.
– Flater
Aug 21 at 11:28
5
"Release candidate" is a commonly used term for a new version of software, which still has to be tested but if it passes the tests, would actually become a new release.
– ElmoVanKielmo
Aug 21 at 12:49
2
I think this M-W definition covers the non-person case: "one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified [, e.g.,] a candidate for surgery". The word "one" in this sense can refer to a thing rather than a person.
– Mark Foskey
Aug 21 at 17:15
@MarkFoskey I agree, but the fact that all of the examples they provide are of people is misleading.
– barbecue
Aug 21 at 18:59
add a comment |Â
up vote
37
down vote
accepted
Collins definition 4 has the following (my emphasis):
A candidate is a person or thing that is regarded as being suitable for a particular purpose or as being likely to do or be a particular thing.
I use 'candidate' a lot in this sense, drawing up lists of software bug fixes to be considered for inclusion in a new release.
answered Aug 21 at 8:37
Charl E
3,144719
2
It's interesting that M-W only considers 'candidate' applying to a person though. Oxford, Cambridge and Collins (cited above) all have "person or thing" in their definitions. Perhaps because of the overwhelming use of 'candidate' in its application to American politics compared with other uses in AM-E?
– Charl E
Aug 21 at 8:44
It could simply be a matter of Collins considering candidate (when used for a thing) as a figurative (loose) usage, rather than a strictly defined one. People often use figurative or loose language (my computer died/a loud color/...) and its particular meaning (when different from the literal meaning) doesn't always make it into the dictionary.
– Flater
Aug 21 at 11:28
5
"Release candidate" is a commonly used term for a new version of software, which still has to be tested but if it passes the tests, would actually become a new release.
– ElmoVanKielmo
Aug 21 at 12:49
2
I think this M-W definition covers the non-person case: "one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified [, e.g.,] a candidate for surgery". The word "one" in this sense can refer to a thing rather than a person.
– Mark Foskey
Aug 21 at 17:15
@MarkFoskey I agree, but the fact that all of the examples they provide are of people is misleading.
– barbecue
Aug 21 at 18:59
add a comment |Â
up vote
37
down vote
accepted
up vote
37
down vote
accepted
Collins definition 4 has the following (my emphasis):
A candidate is a person or thing that is regarded as being suitable for a particular purpose or as being likely to do or be a particular thing.
I use 'candidate' a lot in this sense, drawing up lists of software bug fixes to be considered for inclusion in a new release.
answered Aug 21 at 8:37
Charl E
3,144719
Collins definition 4 has the following (my emphasis):
A candidate is a person or thing that is regarded as being suitable for a particular purpose or as being likely to do or be a particular thing.
I use 'candidate' a lot in this sense, drawing up lists of software bug fixes to be considered for inclusion in a new release.
answered Aug 21 at 8:37
Charl E
3,144719
answered Aug 21 at 8:37
Charl E
3,144719
answered Aug 21 at 8:37
Charl E
3,144719
answered Aug 21 at 8:37
Charl E
3,144719
3,144719
2
It's interesting that M-W only considers 'candidate' applying to a person though. Oxford, Cambridge and Collins (cited above) all have "person or thing" in their definitions. Perhaps because of the overwhelming use of 'candidate' in its application to American politics compared with other uses in AM-E?
– Charl E
Aug 21 at 8:44
It could simply be a matter of Collins considering candidate (when used for a thing) as a figurative (loose) usage, rather than a strictly defined one. People often use figurative or loose language (my computer died/a loud color/...) and its particular meaning (when different from the literal meaning) doesn't always make it into the dictionary.
– Flater
Aug 21 at 11:28
5
"Release candidate" is a commonly used term for a new version of software, which still has to be tested but if it passes the tests, would actually become a new release.
– ElmoVanKielmo
Aug 21 at 12:49
2
I think this M-W definition covers the non-person case: "one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified [, e.g.,] a candidate for surgery". The word "one" in this sense can refer to a thing rather than a person.
– Mark Foskey
Aug 21 at 17:15
@MarkFoskey I agree, but the fact that all of the examples they provide are of people is misleading.
– barbecue
Aug 21 at 18:59
add a comment |Â
2
It's interesting that M-W only considers 'candidate' applying to a person though. Oxford, Cambridge and Collins (cited above) all have "person or thing" in their definitions. Perhaps because of the overwhelming use of 'candidate' in its application to American politics compared with other uses in AM-E?
– Charl E
Aug 21 at 8:44
It could simply be a matter of Collins considering candidate (when used for a thing) as a figurative (loose) usage, rather than a strictly defined one. People often use figurative or loose language (my computer died/a loud color/...) and its particular meaning (when different from the literal meaning) doesn't always make it into the dictionary.
– Flater
Aug 21 at 11:28
5
"Release candidate" is a commonly used term for a new version of software, which still has to be tested but if it passes the tests, would actually become a new release.
– ElmoVanKielmo
Aug 21 at 12:49
2
I think this M-W definition covers the non-person case: "one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified [, e.g.,] a candidate for surgery". The word "one" in this sense can refer to a thing rather than a person.
– Mark Foskey
Aug 21 at 17:15
@MarkFoskey I agree, but the fact that all of the examples they provide are of people is misleading.
– barbecue
Aug 21 at 18:59
2
2
It's interesting that M-W only considers 'candidate' applying to a person though. Oxford, Cambridge and Collins (cited above) all have "person or thing" in their definitions. Perhaps because of the overwhelming use of 'candidate' in its application to American politics compared with other uses in AM-E?
– Charl E
Aug 21 at 8:44
It's interesting that M-W only considers 'candidate' applying to a person though. Oxford, Cambridge and Collins (cited above) all have "person or thing" in their definitions. Perhaps because of the overwhelming use of 'candidate' in its application to American politics compared with other uses in AM-E?
– Charl E
Aug 21 at 8:44
It could simply be a matter of Collins considering candidate (when used for a thing) as a figurative (loose) usage, rather than a strictly defined one. People often use figurative or loose language (my computer died/a loud color/...) and its particular meaning (when different from the literal meaning) doesn't always make it into the dictionary.
– Flater
Aug 21 at 11:28
It could simply be a matter of Collins considering candidate (when used for a thing) as a figurative (loose) usage, rather than a strictly defined one. People often use figurative or loose language (my computer died/a loud color/...) and its particular meaning (when different from the literal meaning) doesn't always make it into the dictionary.
– Flater
Aug 21 at 11:28
5
5
"Release candidate" is a commonly used term for a new version of software, which still has to be tested but if it passes the tests, would actually become a new release.
– ElmoVanKielmo
Aug 21 at 12:49
"Release candidate" is a commonly used term for a new version of software, which still has to be tested but if it passes the tests, would actually become a new release.
– ElmoVanKielmo
Aug 21 at 12:49
2
2
I think this M-W definition covers the non-person case: "one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified [, e.g.,] a candidate for surgery". The word "one" in this sense can refer to a thing rather than a person.
– Mark Foskey
Aug 21 at 17:15
I think this M-W definition covers the non-person case: "one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified [, e.g.,] a candidate for surgery". The word "one" in this sense can refer to a thing rather than a person.
– Mark Foskey
Aug 21 at 17:15
@MarkFoskey I agree, but the fact that all of the examples they provide are of people is misleading.
– barbecue
Aug 21 at 18:59
@MarkFoskey I agree, but the fact that all of the examples they provide are of people is misleading.
– barbecue
Aug 21 at 18:59
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
The use of candidate for a project is, I believe, supported by all dictionaries. The difference between Merriam-Webster's and Oxford's or Collins' wording is no coincidence:
one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified
vs.
A person or thing ...
If we look up one we find, among others:
a certain indefinitely indicated person or thing.
It's simply that "one that ..." can be a person or thing; the quoted dictionaries agree, but M-W is more concise.
This is corroborated by M-W's entry for victim:
one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent: the schools are victims of the social system
answered Aug 21 at 16:10
Peter A. Schneider
1,531515
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
The use of candidate for a project is, I believe, supported by all dictionaries. The difference between Merriam-Webster's and Oxford's or Collins' wording is no coincidence:
one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified
vs.
A person or thing ...
If we look up one we find, among others:
a certain indefinitely indicated person or thing.
It's simply that "one that ..." can be a person or thing; the quoted dictionaries agree, but M-W is more concise.
This is corroborated by M-W's entry for victim:
one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent: the schools are victims of the social system
answered Aug 21 at 16:10
Peter A. Schneider
1,531515
add a comment |Â
up vote
9
down vote
up vote
9
down vote
The use of candidate for a project is, I believe, supported by all dictionaries. The difference between Merriam-Webster's and Oxford's or Collins' wording is no coincidence:
one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified
vs.
A person or thing ...
If we look up one we find, among others:
a certain indefinitely indicated person or thing.
It's simply that "one that ..." can be a person or thing; the quoted dictionaries agree, but M-W is more concise.
This is corroborated by M-W's entry for victim:
one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent: the schools are victims of the social system
answered Aug 21 at 16:10
Peter A. Schneider
1,531515
The use of candidate for a project is, I believe, supported by all dictionaries. The difference between Merriam-Webster's and Oxford's or Collins' wording is no coincidence:
one likely or suited to undergo or be chosen for something specified
vs.
A person or thing ...
If we look up one we find, among others:
a certain indefinitely indicated person or thing.
It's simply that "one that ..." can be a person or thing; the quoted dictionaries agree, but M-W is more concise.
This is corroborated by M-W's entry for victim:
one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent: the schools are victims of the social system
answered Aug 21 at 16:10
Peter A. Schneider
1,531515
answered Aug 21 at 16:10
Peter A. Schneider
1,531515
answered Aug 21 at 16:10
Peter A. Schneider
1,531515
answered Aug 21 at 16:10
Peter A. Schneider
1,531515
1,531515
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
No, it can refer to any noun. If you want to further clarify, you can use candidate as an adjective: "...which would qualify (project name) as a candidate project for the program."
answered Aug 21 at 11:53
ehrte3h
491
Some of the information contained in this post requires additional references. Please edit to add citations to reliable sources that support the assertions made here. Unsourced material may be disputed or deleted.
I like the adjective idea, it sounds elegant.
– Peter A. Schneider
Aug 22 at 14:41
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
No, it can refer to any noun. If you want to further clarify, you can use candidate as an adjective: "...which would qualify (project name) as a candidate project for the program."
answered Aug 21 at 11:53
ehrte3h
491
Some of the information contained in this post requires additional references. Please edit to add citations to reliable sources that support the assertions made here. Unsourced material may be disputed or deleted.
I like the adjective idea, it sounds elegant.
– Peter A. Schneider
Aug 22 at 14:41
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
No, it can refer to any noun. If you want to further clarify, you can use candidate as an adjective: "...which would qualify (project name) as a candidate project for the program."
answered Aug 21 at 11:53
ehrte3h
491
No, it can refer to any noun. If you want to further clarify, you can use candidate as an adjective: "...which would qualify (project name) as a candidate project for the program."
answered Aug 21 at 11:53
ehrte3h
491
answered Aug 21 at 11:53
ehrte3h
491
answered Aug 21 at 11:53
ehrte3h
491
answered Aug 21 at 11:53
ehrte3h
491
491
Some of the information contained in this post requires additional references. Please edit to add citations to reliable sources that support the assertions made here. Unsourced material may be disputed or deleted.
Some of the information contained in this post requires additional references. Please edit to add citations to reliable sources that support the assertions made here. Unsourced material may be disputed or deleted.
I like the adjective idea, it sounds elegant.
– Peter A. Schneider
Aug 22 at 14:41
add a comment |Â
I like the adjective idea, it sounds elegant.
– Peter A. Schneider
Aug 22 at 14:41
I like the adjective idea, it sounds elegant.
– Peter A. Schneider
Aug 22 at 14:41
I like the adjective idea, it sounds elegant.
– Peter A. Schneider
Aug 22 at 14:41
add a comment |Â
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32
Is this question is a good candidate for this site?
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:36
1
en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/candidate
– Kris
Aug 21 at 8:37
27
Yes, every time you download a release candidate from Firefox or Apple or Microsoft, they deliver an actual human being that then lives inside your machine.
– RegDwigýt♦
Aug 21 at 11:19
5
@RegDwigýt - That's who's been eating my M&Ms!!
– Hot Licks
Aug 21 at 11:56
2
Why do you capitalise program?
– Peter Mortensen
Aug 21 at 19:20