a balanced contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a balanced contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competition where all participants have an equal chance of winning, often implying fairness and equality in terms of skill or resources. Example: "The tournament was praised for being a balanced contest, allowing both seasoned players and newcomers to compete on equal footing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is that if the Paralympics achieve another of his ideals, by relentless examination of the precise help provided by prosthetics and a mass of categories which are inevitably arbitrary and in some instances just plain convenient, a perfectly balanced contest, they will have flown beyond all previous understanding of the realities of sport.

Independent

While the importance of such voters has diminished, in a closely balanced contest these relatively uninvolved men and women have the power to determine the outcome: in the 12 presidential elections from 1964 to 2008, four – 1968, 1976, 2000 and 2004 – have been decided by 2.5 percentage points or less.

The New York Times

It's difficult to imagine a more perfectly balanced contest.

Independent

However, as our analysis has shown the peril of over-investment seems to be rather small, because noisy observability (4.3), imperfect enforcement (4.4) and lengthy proceedings (4.5) create a drift towards under-investment, which has to be overcome by a balanced investment contest initiated by the arbitrator.

Journal of Organization Design

This should be a competitive and evenly-balanced contest". "Thursday and Friday were a bit of blur.

BBC

While Tran topped Chen in scoring, 21-13, La Cañada won the contest, 61-44, behind a balanced attack.

Los Angeles Times

It is a fine thing to create conditions for well-balanced contests.

The New York Times - Magazine

We built a balanced team.

The New York Times - Sports

We need a balanced budget".

The New Yorker

This is a balanced biography.' ".

The New York Times

Everyone needed a balanced diet.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a balanced contest", ensure the context clearly indicates the elements that contribute to the sense of balance. For instance, specify whether it's about skill, resources, or rules.

Common error

Avoid using "a balanced contest" if there are obvious advantages or disadvantages for certain participants. Overstating the balance can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a balanced contest" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It modifies the noun "contest" with the adjective "balanced", indicating the quality of the contest being fair and equitable. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a balanced contest" is a phrase used to describe a competition or situation characterized by fairness and equal opportunity. Ludwig AI considers this phrase correct and usable. While grammatically sound and understandable, its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the elements contributing to the sense of balance are clearly articulated to avoid undermining credibility. Alternative phrases such as "a fair competition" or "an equitable match" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fair competition

This alternative emphasizes the impartiality and justice within the competition.

an equitable match

This alternative focuses on the equality of opportunities or resources available to each participant.

a level playing field

This phrase describes a situation where everyone has the same chances of success.

a competitive balance

This option stresses the equal competitiveness among contestants.

a closely matched game

This highlights the similarity in skill or ability between competitors.

a finely poised battle

This phrase indicates that the outcome is uncertain and the competitors are evenly matched.

a well-matched competition

This suggests the competitors have comparable skills and strengths.

a neck-and-neck race

This emphasizes the closeness and intensity of the competition.

a tight contest

This highlights the narrow margin between competitors.

a square game

This alternative emphasizes fairness and honesty in the contest.

FAQs

What does "a balanced contest" mean?

The phrase "a balanced contest" describes a competition or situation where participants have a relatively equal opportunity to succeed, often implying fairness in terms of skill, resources, or rules.

What can I say instead of "a balanced contest"?

You can use alternatives like "a fair competition", "an equitable match", or "a level playing field" depending on the context.

How can I ensure a contest is "balanced"?

To ensure a contest is balanced, focus on equalizing resources, establishing clear and fair rules, and minimizing biases that could unfairly advantage or disadvantage any participant.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a balanced contest"?

It's appropriate to use "a balanced contest" in contexts where you want to emphasize fairness, equality, and an even playing field. This can include sports, elections, or even business competitions.