cannot contend with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot contend with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is unable to compete or match the strength, quality, or effectiveness of something else. Example: "In terms of innovation, our current technology cannot contend with the advancements made by our competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He gradually becomes ashamed of her because she cannot contend with his intellectual friends.

Independent

It seems that many people cannot contend with the notion of public money being spent on very young children.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's clear that cleanups and recycling cannot contend with the never-ending flow of single-use plastic waste being produced by corporations," said King. "The only way to curb plastic pollution is by stopping corporations from producing throwaway plastics in the first place".

Vice

Don't walk into uncharted territory if you absolutely cannot contend with those more experienced than you.

WikiHow

The language of description is always a matter of equivalence (a word equals the thing it describes) and so cannot contend with the sublime.

The Guardian - Books

20) 5. BUMBLING JETS CANNOT CONTEND WITH THE EAGLES After three consecutive victories, the Jets fall flat, 45-19.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There were greater things to contend with.

The New York Times - Arts

"You have to contend with it.

The New York Times

Neo-leftists contend with free-market capitalists.

The Economist

Then, there were fiefdoms to contend with.

The New Yorker

Ferguson had other problems to contend with.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot contend with" when you want to emphasize a clear disparity in ability or strength between two subjects. For example, "Small businesses often cannot contend with the marketing budgets of large corporations."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot contend with" in overly casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "can't handle" or "can't deal with" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot contend with" functions as a verb phrase expressing an inability to compete or effectively deal with something. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability in written English. Examples show it used to describe limitations in ability or capacity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot contend with" effectively conveys an inability to compete or deal with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. While versatile, it appears more frequently in formal contexts such as news articles and analytical writing. For alternative expressions, you might consider "cannot compete with" or "unable to deal with" depending on the specific nuance you wish to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to compete with

Replaces "contend" with the more direct "compete".

incapable of dealing with

Substitutes "contend" with the phrase "deal with", emphasizing a lack of ability to handle something.

cannot cope with

Focuses on the inability to manage or handle a situation.

no match for

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate inferiority or lack of competitiveness.

cannot withstand

Highlights the inability to endure or resist something.

outmatched by

Emphasizes being surpassed or exceeded in ability or strength.

deficient in handling

Uses a more formal tone, indicating a lack of proficiency.

ill-equipped to face

Indicates a lack of necessary resources or skills to confront a challenge.

powerless against

Stresses a lack of influence or control over something.

at a disadvantage against

Highlights a position of weakness or inferiority compared to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot contend with" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot contend with" to indicate that something is unable to compete effectively with something else. For example, "The outdated software "cannot contend with" the demands of modern data processing."

What are some alternatives to "cannot contend with"?

Alternatives include "cannot compete with", "unable to deal with", or "cannot cope with", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot contend with"?

It's appropriate to use "cannot contend with" in situations where you want to express a clear inability to match or rival something in terms of strength, quality, or effectiveness, but may be too formal in day-to-day speech.

What's the difference between "cannot contend with" and "cannot compete with"?

"Cannot contend with" suggests a broader inability to deal with something, whereas ""cannot compete with"" specifically refers to a lack of competitiveness. The first is a more suitable choice when discussing non-competitive scenarios.