a very close contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very close contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the outcome of a competition or event is uncertain and the results are nearly equal. Example: "The election was a very close contest, with only a few hundred votes separating the candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Public opinion surveys suggest a very close contest in Washington.

The New York Times

Online polls point to a very close contest.

The Guardian

He may well be, but the public polls still show it as a very close contest.

The New Yorker

By Calvin Trillin Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson are in a very close contest.

The New Yorker

There are now partial preliminary results from each of Iraq's 18 provinces, and they point to a very close contest.

The New York Times

So we have a very close contest for votes, for delegates, and this is nowhere near over.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But however one viewed the decision, it was not surprising that the bout was another very close contest.

The Economist

Shorten conceded that although counting had "not finished in a number of very close contests", the Liberal-National Coalition would be re-elected either as a minority government or with a slim one- or two-seat majority.

The Guardian

"They've got a fair amount of money, but some may be reluctant to spend it on what is obviously a lost cause – and it won't be as much as the Conservatives," says Bale. Boots on the ground can also make a difference in very close contests.

Vice

"The Romney campaign has been built around a model that expects very close contests in all of these states," Mr. Madden said.

The New York Times

The poll suggests a very close Senate contest between Representative Rick Berg, the Republican, and Ms. Heitkamp, a former North Dakota secretary of state.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very close contest" to emphasize the uncertainty and excitement of a situation where the outcome is difficult to predict.

Common error

While acceptable in most situations, overuse of "a very close contest" in casual conversation can sound overly formal; consider simpler alternatives like "it's close" or "it's tight".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very close contest" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. For example, Ludwig provides, "Public opinion surveys suggest a very close contest in Washington."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very close contest" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that accurately describes a tight competition or situation with an uncertain outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources, predominantly in the News & Media. While appropriate for formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual conversation. The phrase effectively communicates the suspense and unpredictability inherent in situations where competitors are closely matched.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tightly contested battle

Emphasizes the combative and competitive nature of the situation.

a neck-and-neck competition

Focuses on the visual aspect of the competitors being almost exactly aligned.

a photo finish

Highlights the extreme closeness, where a photograph is needed to determine the winner.

a dead heat

Indicates the competition ended in a tie.

a tight race

Similar to "a very close contest", but more commonly used for literal races.

an evenly matched game

Focuses on the balance of skills and abilities between the competitors.

a closely fought competition

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved in the competition.

a near tie

Highlights the almost identical results, stopping short of a complete tie.

a marginal victory

Stresses that the win was achieved by a very small margin.

a cliffhanger

Focuses on the suspenseful and uncertain nature of the ending.

FAQs

How can I use "a very close contest" in a sentence?

You can use "a very close contest" to describe any situation where the outcome is uncertain due to the competitors being closely matched. For example, "The election was "a very close contest", with the candidates neck and neck in the polls."

What are some alternatives to saying "a very close contest"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a tight race", "a photo finish", or "a neck-and-neck competition".

Is it appropriate to use "a very close contest" in formal writing?

Yes, "a very close contest" is perfectly appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and accurately describes a situation with a tight competition. Using alternatives as "tight race" may depend on the audience.

What makes "a very close contest" different from "a close game"?

"A close game" typically refers to a sporting event, whereas "a very close contest" can refer to any type of competition, including elections, debates, or even business negotiations. The main difference is the generality of ""a very close contest"".