an equal contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an equal contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competition or situation where all participants have the same chances or opportunities to succeed. Example: "The tournament was designed to ensure an equal contest among all teams, promoting fairness and sportsmanship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is not an equal contest.

Independent

Lady Ashton is closer to the position of national governments: they think that all delegation jobs should be open to their own seconded diplomats in an equal contest with staff from the commission and council.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But it is true that it is now a more equal contest between United and American".

The New York Times

Yet despite the scoreline it was a rather more equal contest than its successor in 2009.

The Guardian - Sport

The reforms allowed anyone to sign up for a vote in its election by paying £3 to become a "registered supporter" in a "one member, one vote" system, giving them an equal voice in the contest as fully signed-up members and trade union affiliated supporters.

Independent

Nevertheless, the heavy casualties on both ships demonstrated the fierceness of the action and James notes that "both combatants displayed, throughout the contest, an equal share of bravery and determination".

Wikipedia

The illusion must be perpetuated that everyone always has an equal shot at winning the contest.

Huffington Post

In 1800, after Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr received an equal number of electoral votes, the contest was thrown into the House of Representatives, which decided for Jefferson.

The New York Times

Always keen to attract new members, under Ed Miliband the party decided to open up future leadership contests by giving an equal vote to members, affiliates and supporters.

The Guardian - Opinion

But until that day we must do what is required to contest the Republicans on an equal playing field.

Huffington Post

"In fishing contests, playing cards and conversation," Jackson writes, Roosevelt "was and wanted to be an equal.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an equal contest" to describe situations where fairness and balanced opportunities are crucial for all participants. This term is particularly effective in contexts of sports, business, or politics where impartiality is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "an equal contest" when the situation inherently involves unequal participants or deliberately skewed advantages. The phrase implies a level playing field, so its misuse can be misleading or inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an equal contest" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes a situation or event characterized by fairness and balanced opportunities among participants. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in contexts requiring a level playing field.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an equal contest" is a noun phrase used to describe scenarios where participants have the same chances and opportunities, ensuring fairness. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English, though relatively rare. Its primary function is to convey impartiality and balanced opportunities, suitable for neutral registers. While "an equal contest" emphasizes level playing fields, alternatives like "a fair competition" or "a level playing field" may be more appropriate depending on context. Avoid using this phrase when the situation inherently involves unequal participants. Consider if complete equality is the most appropriate approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fair competition

Focuses on the fairness aspect of the competition, implying impartiality and justice.

a level playing field

Emphasizes that all participants have the same opportunities and advantages.

a balanced match

Highlights the equilibrium in skill or resources between competitors.

a competitive parity

Stresses the equivalence in competitive strength among participants.

a just competition

Highlights the ethical and moral dimensions of fairness in a contest.

a square game

Implies honesty and lack of cheating, ensuring a fair outcome.

a sportsmanlike contest

Underscores ethical behavior and respect among competitors.

a neck and neck race

Describes a close competition where participants are nearly equal in progress.

a dead heat

Indicates a contest where the participants finish at exactly the same time or score.

a balanced battle

Highlights the equilibrium of a competitive conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "an equal contest" in a sentence?

You can use "an equal contest" to describe situations where all participants have the same opportunity to win or succeed. For instance: "The new regulations aim to create "a level playing field"" ensuring "an equal contest" for all businesses.

What are some alternatives to "an equal contest"?

Alternatives include "a fair competition", "a level playing field", or "a balanced match", depending on the context. Each emphasizes a different aspect of fairness or balanced opportunity.

Is it always appropriate to aim for "an equal contest"?

While fairness is generally desirable, aiming for "an equal contest" might not always be appropriate or feasible, particularly in situations where inherent differences or past inequities exist. It's important to consider whether striving for equality of opportunity is the best approach in a given situation, as opposed to equity or other fairness frameworks.

What's the difference between "an equal contest" and "a fair contest"?

While both phrases describe a sense of justice in a contest, "an equal contest" emphasizes that the participants have the same resources and chances from the outset. In contrast, "a fair contest" may address situations where adjustments are made to compensate for initial imbalances, ensuring that the outcome is perceived as just, even if the starting conditions are not identical.