a race against

USAGE SUMMARY

"a race against" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe a competition or contest in which participants are trying to complete a task or reach a goal as quickly as possible. Example: The runners were engaged in a race against time to finish the marathon before the sun set.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Painting frescoes is a race against drying.

The New Yorker

We're in a race against time".

Independent

This is a race against the clock.

The New York Times - Food

We are in a race against poverty.

The New York Times

It was a race against time.

The New York Times

A race against the clock!

The Guardian - Film

It's a race against the clock..."....

The New Yorker

"It's a race against time for me.

The New York Times - Sports

in a Race Against an Epidemic.

The New York Times - Books

It will be a race against time.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's a race against the clock".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a race against" when emphasizing the pressure of time or other constraints in achieving a goal. For example, "It's a race against time to deliver the vaccine before the outbreak worsens."

Common error

Avoid using "a race against" when there's no element of urgency or competition. For example, instead of saying "Learning a new language is a race against forgetting", consider "Learning a new language requires consistent practice to retain the information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a race against" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to describe a situation where there is a sense of urgency and competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a race against" is a commonly used phrase to describe situations characterized by urgency and competition with constraints such as time or resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and found predominantly in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in register, its usage leans toward slightly formal. When using "a race against", ensure the context genuinely involves urgency to avoid misuse. Consider alternatives like "a struggle against" or "a sprint against" to fine-tune the intended meaning. The high frequency and authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, underscore its widespread acceptance and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a struggle against

Replaces "race" with "struggle", highlighting the difficulty and effort involved.

a sprint against

Uses "sprint" instead of "race" to convey a shorter, more intense burst of activity.

a battle against

Substitutes "race" with "battle", emphasizing the conflict and opposition.

a fight against

Replaces "race" with "fight", underscoring the active effort to overcome something.

a dash to overcome

Uses "dash" to emphasize speed and determination in overcoming a challenge.

a crusade against

Employs "crusade" to suggest a longer, more morally driven effort.

an effort to beat

Focuses on the aim of 'beating' a deadline or obstacle, rather than the 'race'.

a rush to avert

Focuses on urgently "averting" a negative outcome.

a competition with

Changes the structure to emphasize competing 'with' rather than 'against'.

a push to conquer

Highlights the effort to "conquer" something, suggesting a forceful attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "a race against" in a sentence?

"A race against" is often used to describe situations where time or resources are limited, and success depends on speed and efficiency. For example, "The doctors were in "a race against time" to save the patient's life".

What's the difference between "a race against time" and "a battle against time"?

While both convey urgency, ""a race against time"" emphasizes the need for speed, whereas "a battle against time" suggests a more forceful struggle against difficult circumstances.

What can I say instead of "a race against the clock"?

You can use phrases such as "a sprint against time", "a dash to complete", or "an urgent effort", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it always about time when using "a race against"?

Not always. While ""a race against time"" is the most common usage, "a race against" can also refer to competition against other limiting factors, such as resources or opponents. For example, "It's "a race against poverty" to improve living standards".