close competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more competitors are very evenly matched in a contest or rivalry. Example: "The race was thrilling, with a close competition between the top three runners right until the finish line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

• To the Editor: I see nothing illogical that a close competition for the most important leadership role in the world would be extremely competitive.

The New York Times

Teams were in close competition throughout the hunt.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"This time it will be a very close competition.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a really close competition, but I think I did enough to win".

The Guardian - Sport

Why assume that the two online versions are really in such close competition either?

The Guardian

It was a new pet, in close competition with his cat, Lucas, for his affections.

The New York Times

The close competition has led the nominees to travel here several times since their conventions.

The New York Times

IMG is so enormous and entrenched that it lacks close competition.

The New York Times - Sports

It was rousing stuff and an excited capacity crowd expected another half of close competition.

The Guardian - Sport

The two shows had been in close competition after garnering four nominations each.

The Guardian

As in any sport, parity is important to maintain close competition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competitive scenario, use "close competition" to emphasize the narrow margin separating the participants or entities.

Common error

Avoid using "close competition" to describe situations where one participant clearly dominates; this phrase is best reserved for scenarios with relatively balanced participants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close competition" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes the state or condition of a contest or market, indicating that the participants are nearly equal. As Ludwig AI tells us, this phrase is widely used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close competition" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe scenarios where participants are evenly matched, conveying uncertainty and excitement. As Ludwig AI points out, its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, from news reports to academic analyses. The phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia". For alternative phrasing, consider "tight contest" or "fierce rivalry", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid using "close competition" when one participant is clearly dominant. By understanding these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use "close competition" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight contest

Focuses on the intensity and narrow margin of victory in a competition.

close contest

Indicates a competition that is very balanced and could be won by any of the competitors.

fierce rivalry

Highlights the antagonistic and highly competitive nature of the relationship between competitors.

neck and neck race

Emphasizes the evenness and excitement of a race where competitors are very close.

stiff competition

Stresses the difficulty and intensity of competing against strong opponents.

keen competition

Highlights the eagerness and enthusiasm involved in the competitive environment.

intense rivalry

Similar to fierce rivalry, but puts more weight on the sustained level of intensity.

tough competition

Indicates that the competition is challenging and requires significant effort to overcome.

near parity

Focuses on the balanced state where competitors are almost equal in ability or market share.

evenly matched

Highlights the similarity in skill or resources between the competitors.

FAQs

How can I use "close competition" in a sentence?

You can use "close competition" to describe situations where the difference between competitors is minimal. For example: "The election resulted in a "close competition" between the two main candidates".

What phrases can I use instead of "close competition"?

Alternatives to "close competition" include "tight contest", "fierce rivalry", or "keen competition", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "closest competition" instead of "close competition"?

While grammatically correct, "closest competition" implies identifying the competitor nearest to a specific benchmark, whereas "close competition" describes a general state of balanced rivalry. Therefore, it depends on the specific scenario you're describing.

What is the difference between "close competition" and "intense rivalry"?

"Close competition" emphasizes the narrow margin separating competitors, while "intense rivalry" highlights the high level of antagonism and determination involved. The former focuses on the outcome, the latter on the process.