a contest of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a contest of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a competition which involves two or more entities vying to come out on top. For example, "The battle for the title of World Cup Champions was a contest of footballing skill between England and France."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a contest of titans.

The New Yorker

Politics has become a contest of monomaniacs.

The New York Times

The race is a contest of contrasts.

The New York Times

That's just a contest of mutual loathing.

The Guardian

I welcome a contest of ideas".

The New York Times

That's a contest of mutual loathing.

The Guardian

There is a contest of terrorism, there is a contest of fundamentalism.

The New York Times

Neither can win such a contest, of course.

The New York Times - Books

— Any triathlon is a contest of speed and endurance.

The New York Times

It was a contest of equal players with similar styles.

The New York Times

Global politics has become a contest of competitive credibility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a contest of" to frame situations where multiple entities are vying for superiority based on specific attributes or criteria.

Common error

While "a contest of" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "competition", "battle", or "struggle" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contest of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjectival modifier to describe the nature of a competition or conflict. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, supporting its function in defining the characteristics of various competitive scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a contest of" is a grammatically correct and versatile prepositional phrase used to describe various forms of competition. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and used across different writing styles. Found most frequently in news and media sources, it frames competitive situations by highlighting the attributes or qualities involved. While suitable for formal and informal contexts, varying the language by using synonyms such as "a competition between", "a battle of", or "a struggle for" can improve writing style and avoid repetition. Being aware of these nuances helps in using the phrase effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a competition between

Replaces "contest" with "competition", emphasizing the competitive aspect with a slight shift in formality.

a battle of

Substitutes "contest" with "battle", conveying a more intense and adversarial competition.

a struggle for

Replaces "contest" with "struggle", highlighting the effort and difficulty involved in the competition.

a clash of

Uses "clash" instead of "contest", suggesting a direct and forceful confrontation.

a test of

Employs "test" in place of "contest", focusing on the assessment or evaluation aspect of the competition.

a comparison of

Replaces "contest" with "comparison", shifting the focus to evaluating similarities and differences.

a rivalry between

Substitutes "contest" with "rivalry", emphasizing the ongoing and often personal nature of the competition.

a game of

Uses "game" instead of "contest", suggesting a more playful or strategic competition.

an exhibition of

Replaces "contest" with "exhibition", focusing on the display of skill or qualities.

an assessment of

Substitutes "contest" with "assessment", highlighting the evaluation and judgment involved.

FAQs

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

The phrase "a contest of" is used to describe a situation where different entities compete based on certain attributes. For example, "The election became "a contest of ideas" between the candidates".

What are some alternatives to "a contest of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a competition between", "a battle of", or "a struggle for".

Is "a contest of" formal or informal?

"A contest of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using synonyms for variety.

What does "a contest of wills" mean?

"A contest of wills" refers to a situation where two or more parties are in a struggle to impose their desires or decisions, each showing determination and resolve. The phrase highlights the psychological and emotional aspect of the competition.