be a chief rival

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a chief rival" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a primary competitor or opponent in a particular context, such as business or sports. Example: "In the tech industry, Company A has always been known to be a chief rival of Company B, constantly competing for market share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If he does take the job, Mr. Morgan would be a chief rival to MSNBC, the news channel owned by NBC.

The New York Times

When it announced 40 million paying users in September, that figure revealed that at the moment Spotify has been growing its paid user base at a rate faster than Apple Music, which is shaping up to be a chief rival.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Perhaps that's a bit unfair to Microsoft since that is a chief rival, but the results were solid.

TechCrunch

With Apple now making its move into mobile advertising with iAds, clearly they didn't want to be sending or receiving all the location information for all of their millions of devices from what is now a chief rival.

TechCrunch

After all, the BlackBerry is now a chief rival of Apple since the iPhone launched.

TechCrunch

A chief rival is Whole Foods, which has aggressively expanded in the New York metropolitan area and in August opened its seventh store in the city.

The New York Times

Over the next few years, the Turkish government began to crack down on a popular movement led by the influential Pennsylvania-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, a chief rival who was previously seen as a key ally of the Islamists in power.

Huffington Post

Cancellara will face a stiff challenge from the German Tony Martin, the defending world time-trial champion, but it is Wiggins who will be his chief rival.

The New York Times - Sports

Their treatment of MacLean could depend on both his individual performance and the success of the team that used to be his chief rival.

The New York Times - Sports

Ford's F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the US for decades, is set to be the chief rival.

BBC

He was reported to be the chief rival to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was duly elected and became Pope Benedict XVI.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competitive landscape, use "be a chief rival" to clearly identify the primary competitor. This phrase emphasizes a significant and ongoing opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "be a chief rival" repeatedly in a single text. Vary your language with synonyms like "major competitor" or "leading contender" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a chief rival" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying the subject as the main competitor. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be a chief rival" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the primary competitor or opponent in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Commonly found in News & Media, this phrase emphasizes a significant and ongoing competitive relationship. While perfectly acceptable, it's advisable to vary your language with synonyms to avoid redundancy. Remember to consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing between "be a chief rival" and its alternatives, such as "be a major competitor" or "be a leading contender".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a fierce rival

Emphasizes the intensity and aggressiveness of the competition.

be a main rival

A more concise alternative emphasizing the rivalry.

be a major competitor

Focuses on direct competition in a specific field.

be a foremost competitor

Highlights being at the forefront of the competition.

be a key adversary

Emphasizes opposition and antagonism.

be a prime antagonist

Emphasizes the active opposition to a protagonist or main entity.

be a leading contender

Highlights the competition for a specific goal or position.

be a principal opponent

Stresses direct opposition in a contest or debate.

be a top challenger

Focuses on challenging an existing leader or dominant force.

be a significant threat

Indicates a potential danger or challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "be a chief rival" in a sentence?

You can use "be a chief rival" to describe a primary competitor or opponent. For example, "In the smartphone market, Apple and Samsung "are chief rivals"".

What are some alternatives to "be a chief rival"?

You can use alternatives like "be a major competitor", "be a leading contender", or "be a key adversary" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "be a chief rival" in formal writing?

Yes, "be a chief rival" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business or news contexts. It clearly and professionally describes a significant competitive relationship.

What is the difference between "be a chief rival" and "be a minor rival"?

"Be a chief rival" indicates a primary and significant competitor, while "be a minor rival" suggests a less important or less impactful competitor. The choice depends on the level of competition you want to convey.