a duel between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a duel between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a confrontation or competition between two parties, often in a metaphorical or literal sense. Example: "The movie depicts a duel between the two rival wizards, each trying to prove their superiority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A duel between dockyard cranes?

The Guardian

American elections are frequently a duel between two photographs.

The Guardian

It's a duel between the phallic and the vaginal.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a duel between two very good bands.

The New York Times - Magazine

When the drama boils down to a duel between Jeanine and Tris, there's a spark.

The Guardian - Film

For the first seven innings, the game was a duel between Mays and Steve Sparks.

The New York Times - Sports

Nagano was a distant, neutral setting for a duel between two Americans.

The New York Times - Sports

Fourth is a duel between the waning Chelsea and the revivalist Tottenham Hotspur.

The New York Times - Sports

Francois Duclier, one of the "amis" calls Paris-Roubaix a "duel between man and pavé.

The Guardian - Sport

It's also a duel between a very traditional British period costume drama and the … well, what?

The Guardian

You call the conflict between President Clinton and Kenneth W. Starr "a duel between Southerners" (Week in Review, Sept. 13).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if alternative phrases like "a contest between" or "a competition between" might be more appropriate depending on whether you wish to emphasize the competitive aspect over the potentially adversarial nature of a duel.

Common error

Avoid using "a duel between" if the situation is more collaborative than competitive. This phrase suggests a high degree of opposition; consider alternatives if a less intense relationship is intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a duel between" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun by describing a competitive or conflictual relationship between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

13%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a duel between" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a competitive or conflictual relationship between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Sports contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure the intensity aligns with the situation, avoiding its use in collaborative scenarios. Consider alternatives like "a contest between" or "a battle between" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The expert rating of 4.5 reflects its consistent and authoritative usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contest between

Emphasizes a competition with established rules.

a competition between

Similar to "a contest between" but slightly broader in scope.

a conflict between

Highlights the disagreement or struggle involved.

a match between

Commonly used in sports to describe a game or competition.

a battle between

Suggests a more intense and potentially destructive confrontation.

a struggle between

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in the confrontation.

a rivalry between

Focuses on an ongoing competitive relationship.

a face-off between

Implies a direct and often decisive confrontation.

a confrontation between

Describes a situation where two parties meet and deal with opposing ideas or issues.

a clash between

Highlights the moment of impact or collision between opposing forces.

FAQs

How can I use "a duel between" in a sentence?

You can use "a duel between" to describe a competition or conflict between two distinct entities. For example, "The final game was "a duel between" two skilled teams".

What's a good alternative to "a duel between"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a contest between", "a battle between", or "a competition between".

When is it inappropriate to use "a duel between"?

It's inappropriate if the relationship is collaborative rather than competitive. A phrase suggesting cooperation would be more suitable in such cases.

What does "a duel between" imply about the relationship between the entities?

It implies a direct and often intense competition or conflict. The term "duel" suggests a potentially decisive encounter, with a clear winner and loser.