a keenly contested game

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a keenly contested game" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a game or match that is highly competitive and closely fought between the participants. Example: "The championship final was a keenly contested game, with both teams displaying exceptional skill and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Katie McCabe's second-half strike for Arsenal proves enough in a keenly contested game at Solihull.

BBC

A keenly contested game had been anticipated - between two sides who are strong, assured and capable of devilish intent in attack - but the opening half was mostly restrained.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We probably gained back a little bit of the belief in what the Lions was about in 2009 by creating such a great series, albeit we lost 2-1," said O'Driscoll. "They were keenly contested games and could have gone either way, which was important after coming off the back of a 3-0 loss to the All Blacks in 2005".

BBC

They have been two incredibly keenly contested games.

The Guardian - Sport

A goal by Mevlut Erdinc in first-half injury-time gave Turkey victory over Northern Ireland in a keenly contested friendly game in Adana.

BBC

James Morrison was the pick of Scotland's midfielders and Levein was delighted with the first hour of a keenly-contested game.

BBC

"As long as no-one oversteps the mark I think everyone loves to see a keenly-contested game with a little bit of attitude in it". While Still's side are currently just a point off the play-offs, Stevenage are struggling in 20th, having won three league games all season.

BBC

Picture the scene: after a compelling regular season and a keenly contested play-off series, one game to decide the destination of English soccer's biggest prize the Premier League Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Access to these will be a keenly contested issue at the inquiry.

The Guardian

He also recounted the story of voters he met in a keenly contested constituency in the assembly elections.

The New York Times

Extreme World averaged 452,000 viewers and a 1.8% audience share in a keenly contested 9pm slot in multichannel.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a keenly contested game" to describe sporting events, elections, or any situation where there is strong competition and close results. It is suitable for adding a touch of formality and professionalism to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "a keenly contested game" to describe events where the outcome is already known or predictable. The phrase implies genuine uncertainty and high stakes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a keenly contested game" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "game". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It serves to add detail and emphasis to the nature of the game being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a keenly contested game" is a grammatically sound and professionally acceptable way to describe a competitive event where the outcome is uncertain. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in News & Media contexts and can be used to add detail and emphasis to the nature of the game. When writing, it's important to use the phrase to describe genuinely uncertain situations and to avoid overusing it in contexts where the outcome is predictable. Alternatives such as "a closely fought match" or "a hard-fought game" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a closely fought match

Focuses on the tight competition and minimal separation between competitors.

a tightly contested battle

Emphasizes the struggle and intensity of the competition.

a hard-fought game

Highlights the effort and determination required from participants.

a fiercely competitive game

Stresses the high level of rivalry and ambition involved.

an evenly matched contest

Focuses on the balanced skill and performance of the competitors.

a nail-biting game

Highlights the suspense and excitement experienced by spectators.

a closely challenged match

Highlights how the sides challenged the other side in a very tight game

an intensely competitive game

Highlights how the competing sides intensely fought each other

a well-balanced game

Highlights how the opposing teams or sides were well balanced and none was better than the other

a nip-and-tuck game

Emphasizes the constant back-and-forth nature of the competition

FAQs

What does "a keenly contested game" mean?

It describes a game where the participants or sides are very competitive and the outcome is uncertain until the very end. It implies a high level of effort and close scores.

What can I say instead of "a keenly contested game"?

You can use alternatives like "a closely fought match", "a hard-fought game", or "a fiercely competitive game" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a keenly contested game" in a formal setting?

Yes, the phrase "a keenly contested game" is suitable for formal settings, such as news reports, sports commentary, and business communications, as it conveys a sense of professionalism and objectivity.

Can "a keenly contested game" be used to describe non-sporting events?

Yes, although most commonly used in sports, "a keenly contested game" can also describe other competitive situations, such as elections or business negotiations, where there is a close and intense struggle for victory.