I competed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I competed for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing participation in a competition or contest, indicating the specific event or position you were striving for. Example: "I competed for the championship title in the regional soccer tournament last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Colin's dad and I competed for her affections.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I never thought about competing for all that I competed for this year.

Independent

I competed for one hour and 30 [minutes], and that is not enough to win against Novak.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think Theo and I competed for 72 hours, with a quick break for Thanksgiving," Schilling said.

The New York Times - Sports

I was a wrestler for 10 years — in high school, at Princeton University and as an officer in the Navy, where I competed for a spot in the 1956 Olympics (unsuccessfully, as it turned out).

The Washington Post

"I competed for Scotland out in Delhi when I was 17," he said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In summary, we have analyzed the putative clamping role of cpx-I (4− 6, 8) and addressed the controversy regarding whether syt and cpx-I compete for binding to SNARE complexes (6, 8, 9, 13).

Biochemistry

I compete for those people".

The New York Times - Sports

I compete for your time minute by minute.

The New York Times

"When I'm out there, I compete for them because of all they sacrificed for me".

The New York Times - Sports

Sale had a really good season last year - the Ladies 'B' team, who I compete for, is good enough to compete against a lot of other clubs' 'A' teams, which is a major achievement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I competed for", clearly state what you were competing for to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "I competed for the first prize" rather than just "I competed".

Common error

Avoid using "I competed for" without specifying what the competition was about. Saying "I competed for it" is vague. Instead, clarify: "I competed for the scholarship."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I competed for" functions as a declarative statement indicating participation in a competitive event or process. This phrase is generally used to convey that the speaker was involved in striving for a specific goal or position. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is both grammatically sound and readily understandable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I competed for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate participation in a competition with a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what you were competing for. Alternatives include "I contended for" and "I vied for", offering subtle variations in meaning. This phrase is a straightforward and effective way to convey your involvement in a competitive activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I contended for

Replaces "competed" with "contended", suggesting a more intense or determined effort.

I vied for

Substitutes "competed" with "vied", implying a keen rivalry or competition.

I battled for

Uses "battled" instead of "competed", indicating a more strenuous and possibly conflict-filled competition.

I strove for

Changes "competed" to "strove", emphasizing the effort and aspiration put into achieving something.

I aimed for

Replaces "competed" with "aimed", focusing on the target or goal of the competition.

I pursued

Uses "pursued" instead of "competed", highlighting the act of following or seeking a particular outcome.

I sought after

Substitutes "competed" with "sought after", emphasizing the desirability of the prize or position.

I was in the running for

Expresses the idea of being a candidate or contender for a particular position or prize.

I participated in the race for

Elaborates the phrase to include "race", indicating a competition with multiple participants.

My efforts were directed towards

Changes the focus to the direction of efforts, rather than direct competition.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "I competed for"?

You can use alternatives like "I contended for", "I vied for", or "I strove for" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I competed for"?

Yes, "I competed for" is grammatically correct. The phrase clearly indicates that you participated in a contest or competition for a specific goal or prize.

How can I use "I competed for" in a sentence?

You can use "I competed for" followed by the thing you were trying to achieve, such as "I competed for the gold medal", "I competed for a promotion", or "I competed for a spot on the team".

What's the difference between "I competed for" and "I competed with"?

"I competed for" means you were striving to win something. "I competed with" implies you were directly challenging someone else. For example, "I competed for the scholarship" versus "I competed with her for the scholarship".