Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a strict competition
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a strict competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competitive situation where the rules are rigidly enforced or where participants are closely matched in ability. Example: "In this year's tournament, we faced a strict competition that tested our skills to the limit."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
I'd been going through a stressful time with the challenges that a strict competition diet and training bring along with being self employed and having a young family, she thought it would benefit me.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
We extend our analysis to the population level, exploring a spectrum of inter-strain interactions ranging from strict competition to independence.
Science
Mr. Almunia said in his first speech in his new position that there was no need to back away from the E.U.'s strict competition policy because of the economic crisis, and he vowed to impose "dissuasive fines" on companies engaging in antitrust violations.
News & Media
"There are some very strict competition laws in Germany.
News & Media
However, these theories or models of human behavior are not always in strict competition.
Figure 1 illustrates two models, one with strict competition and one with independence.
Science
A low R01 also makes an aggressive approach more likely to be preferred (see Appendix figure 9); competition for hosts is low when there are plenty of susceptible hosts, whether the model has strict competition mechanisms or not.
Science
Against that, Labour has good ideas for getting the long-term unemployed back to work, though it probably under-estimates their cost; and it espouses better notions than the Tories in competition policy (giving it a stricter pro-competition goal).
News & Media
David and Mike continued to pursue their dream of getting double dutch into the Olympics by creating a strict and structured competition circuit that took it off the streets, even as music officially entered double dutch competitions in the form of "fusion," an evolution of the original freestyle component, in 1991.
News & Media
Stricter competition laws are being drafted to stir some vigour into the oligopolistic corporate world.
News & Media
The BBC Trust swung into action last year when the charges of dishonesty came to light, and declared their intention the tackle the problem with an "unprecedented action plan" involving " a comprehensive programme of training for over 19,000 staff, rigorous new technical protections, new guidance to programme-makers on the running of competitions and a strict new code of conduct".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing a competition with clearly defined and enforced rules, use "a strict competition" to emphasize the adherence to standards and regulations.
Common error
Avoid implying that "a strict competition" is inherently unfair or biased. The term refers to the rigid enforcement of rules, not necessarily an imbalance in opportunity.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a strict competition" functions as a noun phrase, where "strict" modifies the noun "competition". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating it adheres to standard English usage.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
30%
Wiki
15%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Encyclopedias
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "a strict competition" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a contest or rivalry governed by rigidly enforced rules. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively conveys the idea of a competition where adherence to standards is paramount. When writing, ensure that the context aligns with this meaning, avoiding misinterpretations of unfairness. Alternatives like ""a rigorous competition"" or ""a tough competition"" may offer nuanced variations for specific contexts.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a rigorous competition
Replaces "strict" with "rigorous", highlighting the demanding nature of the competition.
a tough competition
Substitutes "strict" with "tough", focusing on the difficulty of the competition.
a fierce competition
Replaces "strict" with "fierce", emphasizing the intensity and aggressiveness of the competition.
a stiff competition
Substitutes "strict" with "stiff", suggesting a high level of difficulty and resistance.
a closely regulated competition
Rephrases to emphasize the tight control and rules governing the competition.
a highly controlled competition
Focuses on the managed and monitored aspects of the competition.
a stringent competition
Uses "stringent" to denote the exacting and demanding standards of the competition.
a demanding competition
Emphasizes the high requirements and challenges presented by the competition.
a disciplined competition
Highlights the structured and rule-bound nature of the competition.
a formalized competition
Focuses on the structured and official nature of the competition.
FAQs
How can I use "a strict competition" in a sentence?
You can use "a strict competition" to describe a situation where the rules are rigidly enforced. For example, "The athletes faced "a strict competition" with no room for error."
What are some alternatives to saying "a strict competition"?
Alternatives include "a rigorous competition", "a tough competition", or "a fierce competition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it better to say "strict competition" or "fierce competition"?
The choice depends on the context. "Strict competition" emphasizes adherence to rules, while "fierce competition" emphasizes the intensity and aggressiveness of the rivalry.
What does it mean when a competition is described as "strict"?
When a competition is described as "strict", it means that the rules are rigidly enforced and there is little tolerance for deviations or errors.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested