suit vs. fit

[merry]

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #105 "Synonyms for adapt", question 8

We are happy to inform you that you are the candidate who best ......... our qualifications.

(a) harmonizes
(b) adapts
(c) suits
(d) accommodates

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #105 "Synonyms for adapt", answer 8

We are happy to inform you that you are the candidate who best suits our qualifications.

Correct answer: (c) suits
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suit vs. fit

merry

[Lost_Soul]

Hi,

Could you tell me if I can use "fit" in sentences such as this?
E.g. does you're the candidate who best fits our qualifications sound correct ?

Thanks !

[Yankee]

Hi Alex

The sentence seems generally awkward to my ear -- probably mainly because the word 'qualifications' seems oddly used. It seems to me that the word 'requirements' would be far more appropriate in the sentence. In other words, it would be the candidate who would have the qualifications, and the other people (a potential employer?) would require that candidates have certain qualifications (for a particular job).

I would prefer this:

"... who best fits our requirements."
.

[Alan]

Hi,

I feel that 'fit' has more the sense of being in the right proportions and I wouldn't be happy with referring it to qualifications. Perhaps 'fits' would refer more appropriately to requirements. Not got strong feeling about it, though.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Yankee]

Hi Alan

What's your take on the way 'qualifications' is used in the sentence?
.

[Alan]

Hi,

I see it used here simply as a check list of exams passed, certificates/diplomas/degreesor whatever obtained. In other words the qualification template that the future employer is looking for.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story 'the' vs. 'a/an'

[MrPedantic]

It does sound odd. Surely it's the candidate who has the "qualifications", not the employer.

The candidate's "qualifications" match the employer's "requirements".

All the best,

MrP