be in contention to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in contention to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone or something that is competing for a position, title, or award. Example: "The team is in contention to win the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Neither team is expected to be in contention to progress.

Independent

"I never think we'll not be in contention to win trophies.

Independent

Where it could premiere: Rumoured to be in contention to open Tiff, according to Screen Daily.

The Guardian - Film

But the 25-year-old has returned to training and could be in contention to face the Merseyside giants.

Independent

Another Republican official rumored to be in contention to be Trump's secretary of state is Ambassador John Bolton.

The Washington Post

Yet analysts in Los Angeles believe Rampling could still be in contention to win best actress on Sunday.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Nicolás Otamendi is in contention to start against Bucharest after not being risked against Sunderland.

The Guardian - Sport

Its lead, Blake Jenner, was in contention to play a young Han Solo for Disney.

The Guardian

He added that Sean O'Loughlin was in contention to replace Burgess against Ireland.

The Guardian - Sport

Pujols is in contention to become the 11th winner of the Quadruple Crown.

The New York Times - Sports

As soon as you lose that gut you're in contention to play for England.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be in contention to" when you want to express that someone or something has a legitimate chance of winning or achieving a specific goal. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "be in contention to" when describing situations that don't involve competition or a clear goal. This phrase implies a contest or striving for a specific outcome, so it's inappropriate for general descriptions of possibility or likelihood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in contention to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating possibility or likelihood. It suggests that someone or something has a reasonable chance of achieving a specific goal or winning a competition, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be in contention to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone or something has a reasonable chance of achieving a goal or winning a competition. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this. It is most frequently found in news and sports contexts, suggesting a neutral register. Alternatives like "be in the running for" and "be a contender for" offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it's appropriate for competitive scenarios and avoid using it in general descriptions of possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in the running for

This alternative emphasizes the competitive aspect of the situation.

be a contender for

This alternative highlights the person or thing's status as a serious competitor.

have a shot at

This alternative suggests having an opportunity or chance to succeed.

stand a chance of

This alternative implies a reasonable possibility of achieving something.

be in line for

This alternative suggests that someone is likely to receive something, often a reward or recognition.

be a potential candidate for

This alternative focuses on the possibility of someone being selected or chosen for a role or position.

be tipped to

This alternative implies that someone is predicted or expected to achieve something.

be slated to

This alternative suggests a plan or schedule in place, indicating a higher likelihood of something happening.

be expected to

This alternative is used when something is anticipated or predicted to occur.

be likely to

This alternative indicates a high probability of something happening.

FAQs

How can I use "be in contention to" in a sentence?

You can use "be in contention to" to indicate that someone or something has a reasonable chance of achieving a particular goal. For example, "The team is in contention to win the championship this year".

What are some alternatives to "be in contention to"?

You can use alternatives like "be in the running for", "be a contender for", or "stand a chance of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "be in contention to" or "be in the running for"?

"Be in contention to" and "be in the running for" are quite similar. "Be in the running for" might slightly emphasize the competitive aspect more than "be in contention to".

What does it mean when someone is "in contention"?

When someone is "in contention", it means they have a legitimate chance of achieving a goal or winning something. It suggests that they are a serious competitor and are likely to be successful.