a major competitor

USAGE SUMMARY

"a major competitor" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a strong rival company, person, or entity. Example: We expect to be a major competitor in the market for electric cars.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is now also a major competitor in their industry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1991, Wal-Mart took away Kmart's lead and Target emerged as a major competitor.

Yale University

In other words, a major competitor would accept the deal provided it also strengthens smaller competitors.

The New York Times

Hestia Tobacco did that effectively when it acknowledged that it had a major competitor, American Spirit.

The New York Times

If basketball is a major competitor in China, then cricket overshadows soccer in India.

The New York Times - Sports

"We expect SBC to be a major competitor across the country".

The New York Times

"Is SBC going to be a major competitor across the board in New York?

The New York Times

Tom's company faced significant challenges when a major competitor, IBM, changed the way it structured contracts.

Harvard Business Review

Xerox invented the copying machine; why couldn't IBM become a major competitor in this field?

Harvard Business Review

Zemurray was first a customer, then a major competitor of United Fruit, though his own firm was much smaller.

The New York Times - Books

He asks whether Apple's biggest competitor is Samsung, and Mr. Cook confirms it is a major competitor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major competitor", ensure the context clearly establishes the industry or area of competition to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Samsung is a major competitor in the smartphone market."

Common error

Avoid simply stating "a major competitor" without providing specifics. Explain why the competitor is considered major, or what their impact is on the market or industry. This adds depth and credibility to your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major competitor" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object, identifying an entity that poses a significant competitive threat. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major competitor" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to identify a significant rival in a particular field. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It appears frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specifics about the industry and the reasons for the competitor's significance. Alternatives include "a leading rival" or "a significant challenger", offering similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Remember to avoid vagueness and provide context for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a leading rival

Replaces "major" with "leading" while keeping the core concept of a strong adversary.

a strong contender

Uses "strong" instead of "major" to indicate the high level of competitiveness.

a principal contender

Uses "contender" as a synonym for "competitor", suggesting someone vying for the same goal.

a significant challenger

Substitutes "competitor" with "challenger", emphasizing the act of competing.

an important market rival

Uses "important" instead of "major" to emphasize significance and "rival" instead of "competitor".

a formidable opponent

Replaces "competitor" with "opponent", highlighting the strength and difficulty in overcoming them.

a top-tier competitor

Highlights that the competitor is among the best.

a key player in the market

Shifts the focus to market dominance rather than direct competition.

a serious threat

Focuses on the competitive danger the entity poses.

a dominant force

Emphasizes the power and influence of the competitor.

FAQs

How can I use "a major competitor" in a sentence?

You can use "a major competitor" to describe a significant rival in a specific field. For instance, "Apple is "a major competitor" to Samsung in the electronics industry."

What are some alternatives to "a major competitor"?

Consider using phrases like "a leading rival", "a significant challenger", or "a formidable opponent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the industry when mentioning "a major competitor"?

While not always required, specifying the industry or context clarifies the scope of competition and prevents misinterpretations. For example, instead of "Company X is a major competitor", you could say "Company X is "a major competitor" in the renewable energy sector."

What makes a competitor "major"?

A competitor is considered "major" due to factors like market share, revenue, innovation, brand recognition, and overall influence within the industry. They typically pose a significant challenge to other companies and shape the competitive landscape.