close race with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close race with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a competitive situation where two or more entities are closely matched in performance or results. Example: "The election turned out to be a close race with both candidates receiving nearly equal support from voters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interestingly, Patten is in a close race with her party's ideological negative image, Family First.

The Guardian

Ireland's Colin Lynch came fourth in a very close race with Thirionet.

The Guardian - Sport

In a close race with 11 other candidates, including one called Conley, it was not easy to stand out.

The Economist

A Times/Siena College poll showed her in a close race with Mr. Knight as of Tuesday night.

The New York Times

In another televised interview, Mrs. Clinton said her close race with Mr. Obama might result in a shared ticket.

The New York Times

Polling — and there hasn't been all that much of it — suggests a close race with a slight edge to Romney.

The Washington Post

In hypothetical matchups, all four of the major Democrats would run a close race with Mr. Giuliani, the poll found.

The New York Times

Recent polls of Democratic voters show Mr. McCall in a close race with Andrew M. Cuomo for the nomination.

The New York Times

He appears to be locked in a close race with Castor for the $172,000-a-year 172,000-a-year 172,000-a-year post

The Guardian

Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday her close race with Barack Obama might result in a shared ticket.

The New York Times

Chris Dudley, a Republican who has never held office, is in a close race with John A. Kitzhaber, a Democrat who served as governor from 1995 to 2003.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close race with" to accurately depict situations where outcomes are uncertain due to the even skill or performance levels of those involved. For instance, in political commentary or sports reporting, this phrase effectively conveys the tension and excitement of a closely contested event.

Common error

Avoid using "close race with" when describing situations that do not involve direct competition or measurable outcomes. For example, using it to describe the progress of two unrelated projects would be inappropriate. Instead, opt for phrases like "similar progress" or "comparable development".

Linguistic Context

"Close race with" typically functions as a descriptive phrase, often used to characterize a situation involving competition, such as an election or a sporting event. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts to describe the competitiveness between different parties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "close race with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news and media, to describe competitive situations where the outcome remains uncertain. As Ludwig confirms, it effectively conveys the tension and excitement of closely contested events, most of the time elections and sports. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is best used when direct competition is evident. Related phrases such as "neck and neck with" or "tight contest with" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings, providing writers with options to fine-tune their descriptions. Using alternatives might reduce repetitiveness and better adapt to each situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neck and neck with

Emphasizes the extremely tight nature of the competition, almost to the point where competitors are even.

tight contest with

Focuses on the intensity and competitiveness of the contest.

fierce competition with

Highlights the aggressiveness and intensity of the competitive environment.

narrow margin against

Indicates a small difference in the lead or score between competitors.

closely matched against

Stresses the similar abilities and performance levels of the competitors.

in contention with

Implies that the individuals or teams are actively competing and have a chance of winning.

competitive situation with

Broadly describes a scenario where competition is a key feature.

nip and tuck with

Suggests a situation where the lead changes hands frequently.

running close to

Focuses on proximity in terms of performance or position.

competitive with

General term indicating comparability in skills, qualities or resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "close race with" to describe any situation where there's tight competition. For example: "The election turned out to be a "close race with" both candidates receiving nearly equal support".

What's a good alternative to "close race with"?

Alternatives to "close race with" include "neck and neck with", "tight contest with", or "fierce competition with". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "close race with" or "tight race with"?

Both "close race with" and "tight race with" are acceptable and convey a similar meaning. However, "close race with" is slightly more common, especially in formal writing.

What makes a race a "close race with"?

A race is considered a "close race with" when the competitors are performing at similar levels, making the outcome uncertain until the very end. Polls often suggest a "close race with" a slight edge.