clear contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competition or situation that is straightforward and unambiguous, often indicating that the outcome is easily determined. Example: "The election was a clear contest between the two leading candidates, with one emerging as the obvious winner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Tomorrow, we will return to fight the 2012 election that is shaping up as a clear contest between those who support the 99percentt versus those in the pocket of the one percent.

Huffington Post

Consistent with this particular form of information-processing is that much of FOX's programming advances a highly simplified view of reality, one in which there is a clear contest between good and evil and in which any substantive discussions of policy differences take a backseat to framing political struggles in apocalyptic terms.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In Jasanoff's telling, the Revolution wasn't a clear-cut contest between the British and American colonists joined in ideological unison against a crazy, incompetent King George III: it was a civil war in its own right.

The New Yorker

I dragged myself to a viewing party, dutifully jotted down the wilder bits, and wondered what on Earth there was left to write, five months into covering the clearest contest in modern memory. .

Los Angeles Times

LONDON'S mayoral race is too close to call, but one thing is clear: the contest rests on voters' second choices.

The Economist

Ok, it's clear the contest involves two progressive candidates (one more so), though temperamentally it's inspiration versus perspiration - a heart-felt idealist versus a deeply experienced pragmatist.

Huffington Post

Now, let me be clear, this contest and the others I have since been a part of, are fair, ethical competitions, nothing like those that Foetry and Poets and Writers "The Contester" column exposed some years back as heavily weighted toward students and/or friends of the final judges.

Huffington Post

These days, the direct-mail company has moved into the digital age, and is asking contestants to look on Twitter and their iPhone to see if they have won Publishers Clearing House contests.

The New York Times

It will argue that, with Ms Cooper and Mr Burnham lacking clear definition, the contest is now a straight fight between Ms Kendall and Mr Corbyn.

Independent

In a blog for the Huffington Post, he said: "It's clear that this contest takes places at a moment of real crisis for the Labour party.

The Guardian

(If we're trying to be more sensitive, doesn't it make ordinary students feel worse when they can't be one of several dozen valedictorians?) Maybe the answer is to stick to one valedictorian but to make the rules of the contest clear, and to be sure everyone knows them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear contest" to describe situations where the participants and objectives are well-defined and the expected outcome is easily understood. It adds a sense of straightforwardness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "clear contest" when describing highly nuanced or multifaceted situations. This phrase is best suited for scenarios lacking significant ambiguity; misapplying it to complex situations can oversimplify the context and mislead readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear contest" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "clear" modifies the noun "contest". It describes a competition or situation characterized by its straightforward and easily understandable nature, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear contest" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for describing situations lacking ambiguity. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and common usage, although its frequency is relatively uncommon. It functions as a noun phrase, typically found in news and media contexts, serving to clarify and emphasize the straightforward nature of a competition or situation. When writing, it's crucial to use "clear contest" in scenarios where the objectives, participants, and potential outcomes are well-defined, avoiding its misapplication in highly nuanced or complex contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious competition

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity in the competition itself.

unambiguous competition

Highlights the lack of doubt or uncertainty in the competitive scenario.

straightforward battle

Emphasizes the simplicity and directness of the confrontation.

decisive match

Highlights the likelihood of a definite outcome in the match.

evident rivalry

Emphasizes the obvious nature of the competition between rivals.

unequivocal race

Indicates a race where the outcome is easily predictable or understood.

apparent struggle

Focuses on the readily visible nature of the struggle or conflict.

transparent competition

Highlights the openness and visibility of all aspects of the competition.

plain fight

Emphasizes the simplicity and lack of complexity in the confrontation.

lucid competition

Highlights the ease of understanding the nature and dynamics of the competition.

FAQs

How can I use "clear contest" in a sentence?

You can use "clear contest" to describe a competition or election where the differences between the candidates or options are easily distinguishable. For example, "The election was a "clear contest" between two opposing ideologies".

What are some alternatives to "clear contest"?

Some alternatives include "obvious competition", "unambiguous competition", or "straightforward battle". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "clear contest" formal or informal?

"Clear contest" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news articles and analytical pieces. Its neutrality makes it versatile.

What makes a contest "clear"?

A contest is "clear" when the objectives, participants, and potential outcomes are well-defined and easily understood by observers. There is typically a lack of significant ambiguity or complexity.