a competition which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a competition which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a clause that provides more information about the competition being referred to. Example: "The competition which was held last year attracted participants from all over the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"It's a competition which has great significance.

The Guardian - Sport

The whole thing heats up into a competition: Which brat is worst?

The New Yorker

It takes a while to manage such a competition, which is all to the good.

The New Yorker

"The Champions League is a competition which is life and death and this standard won't be enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Most dramatically, he won £100 in a competition, which funded a trip to work in a kibbutz.

The Guardian - Books

Many of America's best-known black musicians and singers got their first break on Amateur Night at the Apollo, a competition which still runs today.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

"But we see it as a brilliant competition which offers a great opportunity to our group of players".

The New York Times - Sports

As a result, he did very well in a singing competition, which led to him winning a place at Peking University on a specialist program.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

"We have the opportunity to play in a European competition which will give us an extra £1m a year for three years," said Peter Thomas, chairman of Cardiff Blues.

The Guardian - Sport

He later entered the fourth season of Tough Enough, a televised competition which awarded the winner a WWE contract, and became the first runner-up.

Wikipedia

It may be led by a man who regarded Yale as a drinking competition (which he damn-near won).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a competition which", ensure the "which" clause adds essential information that clarifies or restricts the meaning of "competition". Without it, the sentence might lack necessary context.

Common error

Avoid using "that" when "which" is more appropriate. "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses that add extra, non-essential information. If the clause is crucial to the sentence's meaning, consider rewriting or using "that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a competition which" functions as a relative clause introducer, providing additional, non-essential information about a competition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct for adding context. For example, "The science fair, a competition which encourages innovation, is open to all students."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a competition which" is a versatile phrase used to introduce non-essential, descriptive clauses about a competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as on wikis. While generally neutral in tone, ensure you're using "which" correctly to introduce nonrestrictive clauses. Alternatives like "a contest that" or "an event which" can provide variety, but always consider the specific context to ensure the most accurate and effective communication. Understanding these nuances will help you use "a competition which" with confidence and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contest that

Replaces "which" with "that", offering a slightly more concise phrasing.

a tournament that

Substitutes "competition" with "tournament", specifying a type of competition, and replaces "which" with "that".

a game that

Replaces "competition" with "game", suggesting a more playful or less formal contest, and replaces "which" with "that".

a challenge that

Substitutes "competition" with "challenge", emphasizing the difficulty and demanding nature of the activity, and replaces "which" with "that".

an event which

Replaces "competition" with "event", broadening the scope to include non-competitive occasions.

a race that

Replaces "competition" with "race", which is more appropriate for contests involving speed or progress, and replaces "which" with "that".

a trial that

Substitutes "competition" with "trial", highlighting the aspect of testing skills or abilities, and replaces "which" with "that".

a match that

Replaces "competition" with "match", which is more suitable for head-to-head contests, and replaces "which" with "that".

a rivalry which

Replaces "competition" with "rivalry", focusing on the competitive relationship between participants.

a quest that

Replaces "competition" with "quest", implying a longer and more adventurous undertaking, and replaces "which" with "that".

FAQs

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

Use "a competition which" to introduce a relative clause that provides additional, non-essential information about a specific competition. For example, "The marathon, "a competition which" attracts runners worldwide, will be held next month".

What are some alternatives to "a competition which"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a contest that", "a tournament that", or "an event which".

Is there a difference between using "that" and "which" after "a competition"?

Yes. "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses (extra information), while "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information). For instance, "a competition that determines the champion" is essential, whereas ""a competition which" is held annually" is additional.

How to determine if I should use "a competition which" or rewrite the sentence?

If the information following ""a competition which"" is not crucial to understanding which competition you are referring to, then it is appropriate. If removing the "which" clause changes the core meaning, consider restructuring or using "that".