a closely contested game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a closely contested game" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a game or match where the competition is very tight and both sides have a fair chance of winning. Example: "The championship match was a closely contested game, with both teams showing exceptional skill and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

What was expected to be a closely contested game wasn't even all that competitive.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a closely contested game that showcased all of the best elements that our sport has to offer.

The New York Times

The Kremlinology is that Ovechkin can be selfish and sometimes thoughtless and so is a liability in a closely contested game.

The New Yorker

A tired Patrick Ewing had one of his infrequent poor shooting outings Tuesday night against the Pistons, making only one basket in the second half of a closely contested game.

The New York Times - Sports

When UConn, which has been the nation's top-ranked women's team all season, played Boston College five weeks ago, the underdog Eagles led by 3 points at the half before losing a closely contested game, 84-77.

The New York Times - Sports

Dockrell returned six for 29 from 11.4 overs, including a spell of four for none in 10 balls, to turn what had previously been a closely contested game into a romp for the home side.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

One thing is for sure, and it's that the regular season really prepared these kids for playing in closely contested games.

The New York Times

Games were shortened to 60 minutes in 1906, but, not surprisingly, there continued to be timing discrepancies, especially during closely contested games.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think you're going to see closely contested games and the team that has the ability to capitalize on an event, whether good or bad, sometimes those are the difference-makers in the game.

The New York Times

The scoring and shooting efficiency from Denver's bench in 2017-18 were at or above league average, sufficient enough to stay competitive in closely contested games.

Forbes

In a closely contested 24-14 game, these six points were crucial.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sporting event or competition, use "a closely contested game" to convey that the outcome was uncertain and both sides performed at a high level.

Common error

Avoid overusing intensifiers like "very" or "extremely" before "closely contested". The phrase already implies a high degree of competition, so adding further emphasis can sound redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a closely contested game" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying the noun "game". It acts as an adjective, providing additional information about the nature of the game.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a closely contested game" is a descriptive phrase used to denote a competitive and evenly matched game or contest, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and versatile, overuse of intensifiers should be avoided. It is commonly found in news and media but can also be used in other contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider "a tight game" or "a hard-fought game" for similar connotations. The phrase is useful for conveying the intensity and uncertainty of a competition, making it a valuable tool in sports reporting and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tight game

Emphasizes the narrow margin between competitors.

a hard-fought game

Highlights the effort and intensity involved in the competition.

a competitive game

Focuses on the overall level of competition between participants.

a neck-and-neck game

Implies that the competitors are almost exactly even throughout the game.

a closely fought game

Uses 'fought' to suggest struggle and determination.

a nip-and-tuck game

Suggests frequent lead changes and close scoring.

a balanced game

Indicates equal skill and opportunities for both sides.

an evenly matched game

Highlights the comparable abilities of the participants.

a thriller game

Emphasizes the excitement and suspense of the competition.

a nail-biting game

Focuses on the anxiety and tension experienced by spectators.

FAQs

What does "a closely contested game" mean?

It describes a game or match where the competition is very tight, and both sides have a reasonable chance of winning. The outcome is uncertain until the very end.

What can I say instead of "a closely contested game"?

You can use alternatives like "a tight game", "a hard-fought game", or "a competitive game" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a very closely contested game"?

Yes, using "very" before "closely contested" is often redundant. The phrase already implies a high level of competition, so adding "very" doesn't add much meaning.

How is "a closely contested game" different from "an easy game"?

"A closely contested game" implies a tight competition, while "an easy game" suggests that one side had a significant advantage and won without much difficulty. They are essentially opposites.