an ongoing contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competition or challenge that is currently taking place and has not yet concluded. Example: "The company is hosting an ongoing contest for the best product design, and submissions are being accepted until the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That sweepstakes will dovetail with an ongoing contest on the QVC network, in which announcers disclose a "lucky number" eight times a day.

The New York Times

To cynics, Apec is a talking shop, while Asean is an arena for an ongoing contest between China and Japan, with India on the side.

The Guardian - Opinion

MR. KLOCK -- It will made a difference to the outcome of the election because there is an ongoing contest which is interrelated and it involves the Supreme Court's opinion.

The New York Times

As for the ultimate fate of this character, that appears to be contingent on the outcome of an ongoing contest between a red-state ideology of extreme individualism, preached and practiced by the city's rich white conservatives, and the civic necessities of a more diverse metropolis.

The New York Times - Books

(3) As was mentioned earlier, he believes that human beings' capacities for discerning the truth are very limited and that it is through, and only through, an ongoing contest between opposing viewpoints that the cause of truth gets advanced.

SEP

(3) Also, he develops a more original variant of that idea on the socio-historical plane: analogously, the way for humankind as a whole to attain the elusive goal of truth is through an ongoing contest between opposing positions, in the course of which the best ones will eventually win out (this idea anticipates, and inspired, a central thesis of J.S. Mill's On Liberty).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Many people refer to this ongoing contest as an arms race, with growing arsenals on both sides.

The New York Times - Tech

Universal proxy cards are generally considered stockholder-friendly, however unilateral adoption of new bylaws in the context of an ongoing proxy contest could be considered defensive or to have an impact on stockholders' ability to vote in an election of directors.

Harvard University

By Abby Aguirre July 26 , 2017In the ongoing contest over which dystopian classic is most applicable to our time, Octavia Butler's "Parable" books may be unmatched.

The New Yorker

In the ongoing contest over which dystopian classic is most applicable to our time, Butler's "Parable" books may be unmatched.

The New Yorker

THE terrorist shootings in Denmark are the latest skirmish in Europe's ongoing contest between freedom of expression and radical Islamists, and as with January's attacks in Paris, they targeted both the press and the Jewish community.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an ongoing contest", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and scope of the competition or challenge. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the sustained nature of the activity.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing contest" when referring to a contest that has already concluded. This phrase specifically indicates a contest that is currently in progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing contest" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "ongoing" modifies the noun "contest". It specifies that the contest is currently in progress. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is valid in the English language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing contest" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, indicating a competition or challenge currently in progress. While Ludwig suggests that the phrase is appropriate, its frequency is categorized as uncommon. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and scope of the competition to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "a continuing competition" and "a current challenge", which can be used depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing competition

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the competition more directly.

a live competition

Focuses on the competition happening now.

a current challenge

Focuses on the aspect of a challenge that is presently active.

an active dispute

Implies a more contentious and possibly unresolved disagreement.

a present conflict

Highlights the conflict and is not time-dependent.

a running battle

Suggests a prolonged and intense conflict or competition.

a continuous contention

Is about continuous disagreement.

a perpetual rivalry

Highlights the enduring and often antagonistic nature of the competition.

an existing rivalry

Is about an established rivalry.

an unremitting struggle

Emphasizes the relentless and persistent effort involved.

FAQs

What does "an ongoing contest" mean?

The phrase "an ongoing contest" refers to a competition or challenge that is currently in progress and has not yet concluded.

How to use "an ongoing contest" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing contest" to describe any competition that is currently active. For example: "The company is hosting "an ongoing contest" for the best product design."

What can I say instead of "an ongoing contest"?

You can use alternatives like "a continuing competition", "a current challenge", or "an active dispute" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a ongoing contest" instead of "an ongoing contest"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound. Therefore, the correct phrase is ""an ongoing contest"".