a stiff competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stiff competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a strong rivalry or challenge among competitors, often in a contest or market. Example: "The annual marathon saw a stiff competition this year, with many skilled runners participating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The vice president and I had a stiff competition, and he won.

The New York Times

There is a stiff competition to find a place in the Indian team, which is a positive sign.

The New York Times

The smoothest and most buttery in a stiff competition, shortbread from CONCORD TEA CAKES avoids all the usual pitfalls.

The New York Times - Food

He questioned whether Schultz has the name recognition to actually make a dent in what is surely going to be a stiff competition.

The Guardian

The factories gave EADS the opening it wanted in the American market, letting it compete for an even bigger prize: a $35 billion contract to build refueling tanker planes for the Air Force, which it landed in February 2008 in a stiff competition with Boeing.

The New York Times

In contrast, the University of Rhode Island (URI) is in the midst of a stiff competition for its 12 slots.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

And without any stiff competition, a manager might be concerned that the team will not go into the regular season razor sharp.

The New York Times

It's a pretty stiff competition.

Huffington Post

Clearly, this requirement has been met". Xerox has been scrambling for more than a year to cope with stiff competition, a botched sales force reorganization, sluggish sales and a sharp drop in its stock price.

Los Angeles Times

"Orange Is the New Black," Netflix: With a lot of stiff competition for the title, this was without a doubt the year's best new show.

Huffington Post

Mr. Atambayev, a northerner, faced stiff competition from two candidates from the south, including a former boxer known for getting into fistfights as a member of Parliament.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stiff competition" to emphasize the high level of challenge and rivalry present in a particular situation. It is suitable when describing contests, markets, or any scenario where participants are strongly vying for success.

Common error

While "a stiff competition" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing it in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "fierce rivalry" or "intense contest" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stiff competition" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig AI, it is a usable and correct phrase. It signifies a situation characterized by strong rivalry and challenge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stiff competition" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe situations marked by intense rivalry and challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It commonly appears in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, to convey the difficulty and high stakes involved in vying for success. To avoid redundancy, consider using synonyms like "a fierce competition" or "intense rivalry". When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intensity of the competitive environment you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fierce competition

Replaces "stiff" with "fierce", emphasizing intensity and aggressiveness of the competition.

fierce contest

Similar to "a fierce competition", but replaces "competition" with "contest" maintaining the intensity

a tough competition

Substitutes "stiff" with "tough", highlighting the difficulty and demanding nature of the competition.

intense rivalry

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase that captures the essence of strong competition.

keen competition

Uses "keen" instead of "stiff", suggesting an eager and sharp competitive environment.

vigorous competition

Employs "vigorous" to describe a competition filled with energy and strength.

close contest

Focuses on the narrow margin separating competitors, implying tight competition.

heated battle

Uses a metaphor of "heated battle" to convey an intense and passionate competitive situation.

cutthroat competition

Highlights the ruthless and aggressive nature of the competition, where competitors are willing to do anything to win.

a challenging rivalry

Combines the aspects of challenge and rivalry, underlining the difficulty involved in competing.

FAQs

How can I use "a stiff competition" in a sentence?

You can use "a stiff competition" to describe situations where there is strong rivalry. For example: "The company faced "a stiff competition" from overseas markets." or "There was "a stiff competition" for the scholarship."

What are some alternatives to "a stiff competition"?

Alternatives include "a fierce competition", "a tough competition", or "intense rivalry". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a stiff competition"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "a stiff competition" and "a tough competition"?

While similar, "a stiff competition" emphasizes the intensity and unyielding nature of the competition, whereas "a tough competition" highlights the difficulty and demanding aspects of it. They are often interchangeable but can subtly alter the tone.