a close contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a close contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, often in sports or competitions, where the outcome is uncertain and the competitors are closely matched. Example: "The championship game ended in a nail-biting finish, with a close contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a close contest and produced a huge turnout.

The New York Times

Louisville and Davidson underway, and it's been a close contest so far.

The New York Times

"In a close contest, we'll simply wait," said Sam Feist, the Washington bureau chief for CNN.

The New York Times

But most show a close contest between ND and Syriza, with Pasok trailing in third.

The Economist

And the last poll before the election suggests a close contest.

The Economist

While the score line might suggest a close contest, it was not.

The New York Times - Sports

Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican, defeated his Democratic opponent, Jimmie Lou Fisher, in a close contest.

The New York Times

It was a close contest this week between Carson and Lord Grantham.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the Democrats' Jersey bounce shows that in a close contest, they'll pull a fast one.

The New York Times

Labour traditionally run away with this one, with a close contest for second.

The Guardian

Yet in a close contest this time, he relied heavily on Moscow as an election resource.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a contest, use "a close contest" to convey the intensity and uncertainty of the outcome. Ensure that the context supports the idea of a tight competition where the result is not easily predictable.

Common error

While "a close contest" is acceptable in neutral and formal writing, avoid using it excessively in highly informal conversations. Alternatives such as "it was really close" or "it was a nail-biter" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a close contest" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical structure is standard English. Examples show it describing elections, sports games, and other competitions where outcomes are uncertain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a close contest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a situation where the outcome is uncertain due to evenly matched competitors. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for describing elections, sports games, and other competitive scenarios. For alternatives, consider using "a tight race" or "a narrow competition" to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tight competition

Focuses on the competitive aspect and the small margin separating the participants.

a narrow victory

Highlights the small difference in scores or results that led to the win.

a neck-and-neck race

Emphasizes the close proximity of competitors, often used in literal or metaphorical races.

a closely fought battle

Implies a difficult and hard-won struggle between competitors.

a dead heat

Indicates an exact tie, where competitors finish at the same time or with the same score.

a photo finish

Describes a race or competition so close that the winner can only be determined by examining a photograph of the finish.

a tight game

Specific to sports, indicating a match where the score is close and either team could win.

a marginal win

Highlights that the win was achieved by only a small amount.

a slim margin

Focuses on the small numerical difference that separates the winner from the loser.

an even match

Emphasizes the balanced skills and abilities of the competitors.

FAQs

How can I use "a close contest" in a sentence?

You can use "a close contest" to describe any situation where the outcome is uncertain due to the participants being equally matched. For example, "The election was "a close contest", with both candidates neck and neck in the polls."

What are some alternatives to "a close contest"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a tight race", "a narrow competition", or "a closely fought battle", each emphasizing the minimal difference between competitors.

Is it always necessary to specify what the contest is when using "a close contest"?

While not always necessary, specifying the contest provides clarity. For example, instead of just saying "It was "a close contest"", you might say "The debate was "a close contest" between the two candidates".

Which is more appropriate, "close contest" or "a close contest"?

The phrase "a close contest" is generally more grammatically correct, as it uses the indefinite article "a" to introduce the noun phrase. "Close contest" without the article is less formal, but can be seen in headlines.