are competed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are competed for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is sought after or contended for, typically in a competitive context. Example: "The scholarships are competed for by many talented students each year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As the report's introduction puts it:Every year the electoral calendar in Sub-Saharan Africa becomes more crowded, and every year most posts, from the presidency to seats in the National Assembly and town mayorships, are competed for rather than seized or bestowed.

The Economist

Here, instead, we focused on the construction of interspecies interaction networks that are associated with iron and glucose, two of the most crucial resources that are competed for during the infection of zebrafish by C. albicans.

BMC Systems Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Several business models are competing for primacy.

The New York Times - Tech

"They are competing for the gold medal".

The New York Times - Arts

They are competing for 46,000 places.

The Guardian

"We are competing for every vote".

The New York Times

I can't imagine that these are competing for resources.

Harvard University

Now, libraries are competing for funds and patrons.

Research Strategies

The candidates are competing for a total of 228 delegates.

The New York Times

"A zillion other things are competing for our leisure time.

The New York Times - Arts

More than 10 companies are competing for the prize.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are competed for" when you want to emphasize that something is being actively sought after by multiple parties, especially in a situation involving some level of formal or structured competition.

Common error

Avoid using "are competed for" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The prizes are competed for by the students", consider "The students compete for the prizes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are competed for" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something is the object of competition. Ludwig examples show its use in describing positions or resources that are being contested.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are competed for" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe scenarios where something is actively being sought after by multiple parties. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, as shown in news and scientific publications. While not very common, "are competed for" effectively communicates a sense of competition and desirability. Consider alternatives like "are vied for" or "are sought after" for nuanced expression and when considering using the active form of the verb in order to prevent using this uncommon phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are vied for

Replaces "competed" with "vied", emphasizing the intensity of the competition.

are contended for

Uses "contended" to highlight the struggle and dispute involved in the competition.

are strived for

Emphasizes the effort and ambition involved in pursuing something.

are sought after

Focuses on the desirability and popularity of the item or position being competed for.

are battled for

Highlights the confrontational aspect of the competition, suggesting a fierce struggle.

are challenged for

Indicates that the right to something is being disputed or contested.

are pursued

Focuses on the action of actively chasing or seeking something.

are struggled for

Highlights the difficulty and effort required to obtain something.

are raced for

Suggests a fast-paced and urgent competition.

are angled for

Emphasizes strategic maneuvering and indirect approaches to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "are competed for" in a sentence?

Use "are competed for" to describe something that is being actively sought after or contested by multiple entities. For example, "The research grants are competed for by universities across the nation".

What's a good alternative to "are competed for"?

Alternatives include "are vied for", "are contended for", or "are sought after". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "are competed for" formal or informal?

"Are competed for" is generally suitable for formal or neutral contexts. In very informal settings, you might opt for simpler phrasing.

What is the difference between "are competed for" and "are competing for"?

"Are competed for" is passive, indicating something is being competed for by others. "Are competing for" is active, describing the act of competing. For example, "Scholarships are competed for" means people are competing for them, while "Students are competing for scholarships" means students are actively competing to get them.