an even race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an even race" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competition or contest where the participants have similar chances of winning or are closely matched in skill or ability. Example: "The final match was an even race, with both teams displaying exceptional talent and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It seems to be an even race, but that's deceptive.

The New York Times - Sports

National polls continue to show an even race, with Mr. Romney struggling in some important states like Missouri and Ohio.

The New York Times

The HuffPost Pollster average also shows an even race.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Added to the mix of the great racing was the extra element of its being an evening race that started in the late afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

After its first night race in Singapore last year, Formula One chose to make the race in Melbourne an evening race, starting at 5 p.m. and finishing at 6 40 p.m.

The New York Times - Sports

Traditional telephone polls using live interviewers have tended to show an essentially even race or Mr. Santorum with a small lead.

The New York Times

If Adlington's time of 4 03.22 was not explosively fast, it did not take into account the nature of a unusually even race.

The Guardian - Sport

With polls now signaling a nearly even race, millions of dollars — both from the candidates' campaigns and even more from outside groups — have flooded in, along with a who's who of surrogates with their eyes on the Senate split.

The New York Times

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton ran a virtually even race for the Democratic presidential nomination and Palin was the Republican vice-presidential nominee.

Huffington Post

HuffPost Pollster, which averages all publicly available polling data in the race, currently shows an even closer race.

Huffington Post

On a conceptual level it can be hypothesized that an athlete performing an event in a fast start manner compared to an even paced race will have higher RPE values throughout the entire race (Figure 1 A, E).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an even race" when you want to emphasize the equality of chances or abilities among competitors, making the outcome uncertain and exciting.

Common error

Avoid using "an even race" to describe situations where one participant clearly has an advantage, as it would misrepresent the actual dynamics of the competition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an even race" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to characterize a competition or contest. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, indicating that the competitors are closely matched and have a similar probability of winning. It adds a sense of suspense and unpredictability to the situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an even race" is a descriptive phrase used to characterize a competition where participants are closely matched. It’s grammatically sound and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for describing situations where the outcome is uncertain, emphasizing the equality of chances or abilities among competitors. While versatile, it should be avoided when describing situations with a clear imbalance to maintain accuracy and credibility. Consider alternatives like "a close contest" or "a tight competition" for nuanced expression. Ludwig AI validates its usability and correctness in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an evenly matched competition

Directly states that the competitors possess similar abilities and resources.

a close contest

Focuses on the narrow margin separating competitors.

a tight competition

Emphasizes the intensity and closeness of the rivalry.

a neck-and-neck race

Highlights the close proximity of competitors, almost as if they are side by side.

a level playing field

Suggests fairness and equal opportunity among participants.

a balanced match

Indicates that the strengths and weaknesses of participants are relatively equal.

a dead heat

Implies the competitors are so closely matched that a clear winner cannot be immediately determined.

a photo finish

Similar to 'dead heat', it means the result is extremely close and needs a review of the photo to determine the winner.

a hard-fought battle

Emphasizes the effort and determination required to succeed in a tight contest.

a nip and tuck contest

Illustrates a contest in which the lead changes frequently and by small margins.

FAQs

How can I use "an even race" in a sentence?

"An even race" describes a situation where competitors are closely matched. For example, "The polls suggest "a close contest" between the candidates."

What can I say instead of "an even race"?

Alternatives include "a tight competition", "a level playing field", or "an evenly matched competition" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "an even race" in formal writing?

Yes, "an even race" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. The key is to use it accurately to reflect a situation where participants have similar chances.

What's the difference between "an even race" and "a one-sided competition"?

"An even race" describes a contest where participants have similar abilities and opportunities, while "a one-sided competition" indicates that one participant has a significant advantage.