close contest with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close contest with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more competitors are closely matched in a competition or event. Example: "The election was a close contest with both candidates receiving nearly equal support from voters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Yet the polls point to a breathtakingly close contest, with several possible outcomes.

The Economist

It was a close contest, with heavy campaigning and a lot on the line, but there will be no recount.

The New York Times

She appeared to be locked in a close contest with Ovide Lamontagne, a lawyer and a longtime political figure in the state.

The New York Times

Polls show Mr. McBride and Ms. Reno in a close contest, with a third contender, State Senator Daryl Jones, badly trailing.

The New York Times

Polls show a close contest, with foes arguing that joining would undermine the country's traditional neutrality and cost the country a lot of money in dues.

The New York Times

Murray, the current No. 4 in the A.T.P. rankings clinched the singles title first, breaking open an initially close contest with top-seed Rafael Nadal to eventually cruise to a 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 victory.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It's in the close contests with the team's strongest rivals, like the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, that you see how good Taurasi really is.

The New Yorker

Long recognized as a distinct type, quarter horses are known for their ability to start quickly and sprint swiftly, producing close contests with many photo finishes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But a number of close contests with UKIP candidates means he'll continue to face pressure from his right.

Los Angeles Times

In Vermont, Trump eventually won in a much closer contest with Kasich, mirroring last month' s result in New Hampshire.

The Guardian

Before meeting Pacquiao, Hatton (whose greatest triumph came in June 2005 when, against all expectations, he deprived Kostya Tszyu of his light welterweight title in a performance of stunning power and courage) had lost just one other professional fight, in a closer contest with welterweight Floyd Mayweather, also in Las Vegas, in December 2007.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competition or election, use "close contest with" to emphasize the tight margin between competitors. This phrase adds a sense of suspense and excitement to your writing.

Common error

Avoid substituting "with" for other prepositions like "against" or "between" unless it accurately reflects the relationship. "Close contest against" might be suitable if emphasizing opposition, while "close contest between" is appropriate for multiple entities competing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close contest with" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun (e.g., election, game) to indicate a high degree of competitiveness and uncertainty in the outcome. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close contest with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a tight competition or election where the outcome is uncertain, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys suspense and excitement. While versatile, careful selection of prepositions is crucial to maintain accuracy. Alternatives like "tight competition with" or "neck-and-neck race with" can offer nuanced variations. When writing, remember that using this phrase emphasizes the narrow margin between competitors, adding depth and intrigue to your narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tight competition with

Replaces "contest" with "competition", emphasizing the competitive aspect.

tight match with

Uses "match" as a synonym for "contest", indicating a close pairing or competition.

neck-and-neck race with

Uses "race" instead of "contest" and adds "neck-and-neck" to highlight how close the competition is.

fierce battle with

Substitutes "contest" with "battle", suggesting a more aggressive and intense competition.

intense rivalry with

Replaces "contest" with "rivalry", which emphasizes the ongoing nature of the competition and uses "intense" to highlight the emotional investment of the competitors.

close game against

Replaces "contest" with "game", specifically suitable for sports or recreational activities, and changes "with" to "against".

competitive duel with

Employs "duel" to imply a one-on-one competition, adding a layer of intensity, and uses "competitive" to reinforce the nature of the interaction.

stiff challenge from

Frames the situation as a "challenge" presented by the opponent, changing the preposition to "from" to reflect the direction of the challenge.

narrow victory over

Focuses on the outcome (victory) and emphasizes that it was a close or "narrow" one. It also changes the preposition to "over".

evenly matched struggle with

Highlights the even skill or strength of the competitors, describing the contest as a "struggle".

FAQs

How can I use "close contest with" in a sentence?

You can use "close contest with" to describe any situation where entities are competing and the outcome is uncertain due to the small margin separating them. For example, "The election was a "close contest with" both candidates receiving almost the same number of votes".

What's the difference between "close contest with" and "fierce battle with"?

"Close contest with" indicates a narrow margin between competitors, whereas "fierce battle with" suggests a more intense and aggressive competition. The former focuses on the proximity of the results, while the latter emphasizes the intensity of the engagement.

What can I say instead of "close contest with"?

You can use alternatives like "tight competition with", "neck-and-neck race with", or "narrow victory over", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "close contest against" instead of "close contest with"?

While "close contest with" is generally used to describe a competition, "close contest against" might be appropriate if emphasizing the opposition. However, "close contest with" is more versatile and commonly accepted.