a competitive contender

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a competitive contender" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is competing for a prize, award, or other recognition. For example, "John is a competitive contender in the upcoming marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As a result, we demonstrate that TM-JLSRG device can be considered as a competitive contender to the deep-submicron mainstream MOSFETs for low-power VLSI applications.

Physica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There are at least five scenarios the PEC could have orchestrated to significantly disadvantaged Morsi, including the disqualification of Shafik which would have fielded an arguably more competitive contender or disbarring Morsi on the grounds of illegal campaigning by the Brotherhood and the FJP.

Huffington Post

These winning species are generally the focus of interest whereas the less competitive contenders are usually not examined.

Journal of Molecular Biology

IF the residential real estate market were a competitive sport, the two contenders in the 2006 Big Game would be the Suburban Single-Family Home team versus the Urban Village Condominiums.

The New York Times

As I said when I called into the radio show, he didn't earn this important post because he rose to the top of a competitive pool of strong contenders.

Huffington Post

Do you think she's a top contender for a competitive position at an awesome employer?

Huffington Post

Rising rapidly from the bitter ashes of the 1997 World Series championship and their fire sale, the Marlins have become a competitive team again, if not a contender.

The New York Times - Sports

Though Obama has followed his beat Hillary script to the letter, he also has shown enough political skills, stump charisma, and the prodigious ability to pile up a king's ransom campaign chest to be a bona fide competitive Democratic contender against McCain.

Huffington Post

But a re-emphasis on defense and detail and the resurgence of Quick in the net have pushed the Kings from a competitive club to a potential Stanley Cup contender in recent weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

The first American woman to land a triple axel during a competitive event, she was expected to be a contender at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.

Britannica

As it happens, I was reading a ruefully captivating new memoir called "Swimming Studies," by a onetime contender for the Canadian Olympic team, Leanne Shapton, which explores how growing up a competitive swimmer formed her habits of heart and mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a competitive contender" when you want to emphasize both the ability to compete and the likelihood of success. This phrasing is stronger than simply calling someone a "contender".

Common error

Avoid using "a competitive contender" when the context already implies competition. For instance, in a sentence about a tournament, stating that someone is "a competitive contender" might be redundant because the tournament setting already establishes a competitive environment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a competitive contender" functions as a noun phrase, where "competitive" modifies "contender". According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe someone with a high likelihood of winning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a competitive contender" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone or something that has a strong chance of succeeding in a competition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase effectively conveys a sense of capability and potential for victory. While the frequency of the phrase is rare, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news and media and scientific articles. If you want to highlight the competitiveness aspect you might want to look for alternatives, such as "a strong competitor" or "a leading challenger".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong competitor

This alternative emphasizes the rivalry aspect, focusing on the individual or entity being in direct competition with others.

a leading challenger

This suggests the individual or entity is actively attempting to overtake the current leader or frontrunner.

a formidable opponent

This highlights the difficulty in defeating or overcoming the individual or entity, emphasizing their strength and capability.

a serious threat

This emphasizes the potential danger or negative impact the individual or entity could have on others in the competition.

a top prospect

This focuses on the potential for future success, suggesting the individual or entity is likely to achieve great things.

a major player

This indicates the individual or entity has significant influence and impact in the competition.

a frontrunner

This suggests the individual or entity is currently in the lead or is considered the most likely to win.

a dark horse

This highlights the individual or entity as an unexpected or underestimated competitor who could potentially win.

a likely winner

This focuses on the high probability of the individual or entity achieving victory.

a top-tier participant

This emphasizes the high level of skill and expertise possessed by the individual or entity.

FAQs

How can I use "a competitive contender" in a sentence?

You can use "a competitive contender" to describe someone or something that is likely to succeed in a competition due to their skills and abilities. For example, "Our new product is "a competitive contender" in the market."

What are some alternatives to saying "a competitive contender"?

Alternatives include "a strong competitor", "a leading challenger", or "a formidable opponent", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "a competitive contender"?

While not strictly incorrect, it can be seen as slightly redundant. The term "contender" already implies competition, so adding "competitive" emphasizes the attribute. Choose your words depending on the nuance you intend to express.

What's the difference between "a competitive contender" and "a potential winner"?

"A competitive contender" suggests someone who is actively competing and has a good chance of winning. "A potential winner", on the other hand, simply indicates someone who has the possibility of winning, even if they are not currently in a strong position.