an intense contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intense contest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a competition that is highly competitive or emotionally charged. Example: "The championship game was an intense contest, with both teams giving their all until the final whistle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Most of the jerseys represented an N.F.L. team other than the Giants or the Dolphins, the opponents for Sunday's game, giving the afternoon the feel of an international convention, not an intense contest between two particular teams.

The New York Times - Sports

"Spring Forward" presents an unusual and welcome spectacle: two very fine actors, Ned Beatty and Liev Schreiber, engaged in an intense contest to see who can give the more understated performance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Behind the tedious struggle for legal advantage in Florida is an extraordinarily intense contest for public opinion.

The New York Times

The movement of science fiction away from the genre ghetto and into the literary mainstream isn't simply a matter of taste or style, but of survival in an ever more intense contest for the minds of audiences.

The Guardian - Books

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced today that Israel would hold elections early next year, eight months ahead of schedule, as he reluctantly invited an intense political contest that Israeli officials said was likely to freeze any diplomacy on the Palestinian conflict for now.

The New York Times

A17 Early Elections for Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that Israel would hold elections early next year, eight months ahead of schedule, as he reluctantly invited an intense political contest that Israeli officials said was likely to freeze any diplomacy on the Palestinian conflict in the meantime.

The New York Times

If I was asked to describe the events of the last eight weeks (and I was, so I am) I'd say that what we've seen is the strategic equivalent of two people locked in an intense staring contest.

Vice

Gingrich's jab at Romney in the intense contest's last hours was a sharp contrast with his promises to stick to a positive message.

Huffington Post

Anne Driver London Charlotte Rogan's astonishing first novel The Lifeboat (Virago) concerns the intense contest for survival between two occupants of a single lifeboat – a strong-minded woman and a tough sailor.

The Guardian - Books

They also cast votes in the far more intense contest for governorships in the nation's 36 states.

The New York Times

The DUP succeeded in winning back the Belfast East seat which saw the most intense contest of the 18 Northern Ireland seats, its candidate defeating Naomi Long of the moderate Alliance Party.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an intense contest" to convey a sense of high stakes and strong emotions in a competition. It is suitable for describing sports, political races, or any situation where participants are highly invested in the outcome.

Common error

While "intense" is a strong word, avoid using "an intense contest" to describe trivial or everyday situations. Reserve it for scenarios where the level of competition or emotional investment is genuinely high to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intense contest" functions as a noun phrase, where "intense" modifies the noun "contest". It describes a specific type of competitive event. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, aligning with its usage in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an intense contest" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a competition characterized by high stakes and strong emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. While suitable for many situations, it's best reserved for scenarios where the intensity is genuine to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "a fierce competition" or "a heated battle" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances, and are valid alternative depending on context. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, reflecting its suitability for describing significant events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fierce competition

Emphasizes the aggressiveness and determination involved.

a heated battle

Highlights the passion and potential conflict in the competition.

a close match

Focuses on the narrow margin between competitors.

a tight race

Highlights the closeness and competitiveness of the event.

a hard-fought game

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in the competition.

a spirited rivalry

Highlights the enthusiasm and competitiveness of the rivalry.

a keen competition

Focuses on the sharp and eager nature of the competition.

a grueling challenge

Highlights the difficulty and demanding nature of the challenge.

a cutthroat competition

Emphasizes the ruthlessness and intensity of the competition.

a high-stakes showdown

Highlights the significant consequences and drama of the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "an intense contest" to describe a competition characterized by high stakes, strong emotions, and close competition. For example, "The final debate proved to be "an intense contest" between the candidates."

What are some alternatives to "an intense contest"?

Alternatives to "an intense contest" include phrases like "a fierce competition", "a heated battle", or "a close match", depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

Is "an intense competition" the same as "an intense contest"?

While similar, "an intense competition" and "an intense contest" have slightly different connotations. "Contest" often implies a specific event or structured activity, while "competition" can refer to a broader, ongoing rivalry. The choice depends on the specific context you're describing.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an intense contest"?

It's appropriate to use "an intense contest" when describing situations where there is significant emotional investment, high stakes, and close competition between participants. This phrase is well-suited for describing sports events, political races, and other competitive scenarios where the outcome is highly valued.