a closer competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a closer competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where the results of a competition are very similar or when the participants are closely matched in skill or performance. Example: "This year's race was much more exciting, resulting in a closer competition than last year's event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was a big win on the field for the Small Fry, with an 18-5 final score, but it was a closer competition on the bench.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

• To the Editor: I see nothing illogical that a close competition for the most important leadership role in the world would be extremely competitive.

The New York Times

You have to wonder now, after all the off-field transgressions, after a close competition in the spring, if Steve Spurrier will look to make a change next week.

The New York Times

Even from the best perches on shore, depending on the draw of the course, it can be hard to tell who is actually winning in a close competition.

The New Yorker

It is a dispiriting fall for Oracle and the organizers of the first America's Cup in San Francisco, who hoped a close competition would reignite excitement for an event besieged by controversy and the death of a sailor in May.

The New York Times - Sports

It was never supposed to be a close competition for Mr. Jeffries, and in the end, it wasn't: he was leading Mr. Barron by about 45 percentage points with 94 percent of precincts reporting.

The New York Times

The results of the energetic analysis show a close competition between reverse osmosis and distillation for seawater desalination.

Desalination

Moreover, computational results of the proposed algorithm and TS show that these algorithms have a close competition, and the proposed algorithm gives four better solutions than the TS.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Idowu is predicting a close competition at the Games, despite the absence of a number of his rivals, including world indoor triple jump champion Teddy Tamgho of France, who has an ankle injury.

BBC

Despite a close competition, the $200,000 grand prize was snatched by BACtrack, a company founded in 2001 by Keith Nothacker.

Huffington Post

In what has historically been a close competition, Causgrove -- a University of Pittsburgh employee and Mustached American fixture in Pittsburgh's not-for-profit community -- took home 66percentt of 1.3 million total votes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a closer competition" to emphasize a more balanced and intense contest compared to previous or expected scenarios. This implies a heightened level of engagement and uncertainty in the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a closer competition" when you simply mean to look at competition more carefully. Instead, use "a closer look at competition" or "a more detailed analysis of competition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a closer competition" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective, describing the state of a competitive event. The word "closer" intensifies the noun "competition", indicating a state of reduced margin between competitors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a closer competition" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a competitive event characterized by a narrow margin between competitors. As Ludwig AI states, it's suitable for various writing contexts. The analysis of the provided examples reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, highlighting its versatility. When using the phrase, ensure that it aligns with the intended meaning of emphasizing a heightened level of rivalry and uncertainty. Alternatives include "a tight race" or "a neck and neck contest" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tight race

Emphasizes the small margin separating competitors in a race or contest.

a neck and neck contest

Highlights the extremely close and competitive nature of the competition.

a keenly fought battle

Focuses on the intense effort and determination involved in the competition.

a closely contested match

Emphasizes the balanced skill and effort displayed by the competitors in a match.

a nip and tuck game

Indicates a game where the lead changes frequently and the outcome remains uncertain.

a close game

A shorter, more general way to describe the closeness of a game.

an even competition

Highlights the balanced skill and opportunities among competitors.

a competitive environment

Broadly refers to a setting where individuals or groups strive for success.

an intensely competitive field

Emphasizes the high level of competition within a specific area or industry.

a photo finish

Implies the competition was so close that a photograph is needed to determine the winner.

FAQs

How can I use "a closer competition" in a sentence?

You can use "a closer competition" to describe scenarios where the difference in performance between competitors is minimal, leading to an unpredictable outcome. For example, "This year's election promises "a closer competition" than the previous one".

What's a good alternative to "a closer competition"?

Alternatives include "a tight race", "a neck and neck contest", or "a closely contested match", depending on the context.

What does "a closer competition" imply?

It implies that the participants or teams are more evenly matched, leading to a more exciting and less predictable outcome. It suggests a higher level of engagement and effort from all involved.

Is "a closer competition" formal or informal?

The phrase "a closer competition" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various types of writing and conversation.