a strong contender

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong contender" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has a good chance of winning or succeeding in a competition or comparison. Example: "In the race for the championship, she is a strong contender, having won several matches this season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They're also a strong contender".

Independent

Scandinavian crime is a strong contender.

The New York Times - Books

Norma Kamali is a strong contender, too.

The New York Times - Arts

Of course Pleat is a strong contender.

The Guardian - Sport

A strong contender for play of the year.

Independent

It could be a strong contender for best documentary.

The New York Times

Perhaps Nunhead Reservoir might be a strong contender.

The Guardian

Mr. Corzine could face a strong contender in Mr. Christie.

The New York Times

Benicio del Toro was a strong contender for Sicario.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Shirzai was widely perceived to be a strong contender.

The New York Times

Merritt, from Portsmouth, Va., was considered a strong contender for gold here in the 400.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a strong contender" when you want to convey that someone or something has a high probability of success in a particular context. It is applicable in various scenarios, from sports to politics to business.

Common error

While "a strong contender" is versatile, avoid using it in extremely casual settings where simpler language would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "This pizza is a strong contender for the best I've ever had" you could just say "This pizza is amazing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong contender" functions as a noun phrase that serves to identify someone or something as having a significant chance of succeeding in a competition or endeavor. Ludwig's analysis confirms that this phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strong contender" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone or something with a high potential for success. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. It serves to communicate an evaluation of capability, making it a versatile expression for various situations. While acceptable for general usage, one should be mindful of excessively casual settings, where simpler alternatives might be more suitable. Be sure to use this phrase when you want to communicate someone or something has a realistic chance to win, compete, or is a realistic candidate for something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a top contender

Indicates being among the best candidates.

a formidable candidate

Emphasizes the difficulty others face when competing against them.

a serious challenger

Highlights the competitive aspect and the threat posed to others.

a key competitor

Focuses on the competitive aspect and their skill.

a leading candidate

Suggests being ahead of other candidates.

a frontrunner

Suggests being in the lead and having a high chance of winning.

a likely winner

Suggests a high probability of winning, focusing on the outcome.

a worthy adversary

Suggests respect for the contender's abilities and the challenge they present.

a major player

Highlights influence and importance in a competitive situation.

a significant threat

Emphasizes the potential danger or challenge posed to others.

FAQs

How can I use "a strong contender" in a sentence?

You can use "a strong contender" to describe someone or something that has a good chance of winning or succeeding. For example: "She is "a strong contender" for the gold medal in the Olympics".

What are some synonyms for "a strong contender"?

Alternatives to "a strong contender" include "a formidable candidate", "a top contender", or "a leading candidate" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "strong contender" or "tough contender"?

Both "strong contender" and "tough contender" are acceptable, but "strong contender" is more commonly used and generally preferred in formal contexts. "Tough contender" emphasizes resilience, whereas "strong contender" implies overall capability.

What's the difference between "a strong contender" and "a likely winner"?

"A strong contender" suggests someone or something with a high probability of winning, while "a likely winner" implies an even greater degree of certainty or expectation of success.