closely contested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "closely contested" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing a situation in which two or more people or sides are in strong competition. For example, "The election was a closely contested race that resulted in a narrow victory for the incumbent candidate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a closely contested election.

The New York Times

Which races were closely contested?

The New York Times

The women's event was more closely contested.

The New York Times

The fourth, Chester County, is closely contested.

The New York Times

The election was the most closely contested ever in Nigeria.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In other Congressional primaries today, only one is closely contested.

The New York Times

Closely contested elections are something new in Kenya.

The New York Times

That difference is even larger in several closely contested states.

The New York Times

It's been beautifully played, closely contested and very exciting.

The Guardian - Opinion

No rivalry in world cricket is more consistently closely contested.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Prior to the sending off, Swansea had the better of a closely-contested game.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "closely contested" to describe situations where the outcome is uncertain and the competition is fierce, such as elections, sports games, or legal battles.

Common error

Avoid using "closely contested" to describe everyday, low-stakes situations. The phrase implies significant competition and uncertainty, so it's best reserved for scenarios where the outcome is genuinely in doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely contested" functions primarily as a compound adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of intense competition or debate. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, as shown in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closely contested" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations marked by strong competition and uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, denoting a neutral register. For variety, alternatives like "tightly fought" or "highly competitive" can be used. When writing, remember to reserve this phrase for genuinely uncertain and competitive scenarios to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closely challenged

Emphasizes that the winner has been challenged every step of the way.

tightly fought

Replaces "contested" with "fought", emphasizing the struggle or battle-like aspect of the competition.

hard-fought

Similar to "tightly fought", this emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in the competition.

highly competitive

Substitutes "closely contested" with a more general term, focusing on the competitive nature of the situation.

narrowly decided

Focuses on the small margin of victory or difference.

neck and neck

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of a very close race or competition.

evenly matched

Focuses on the equal abilities or resources of the competitors.

fiercely debated

Emphasizes the intensity of the debate or argument.

intensely argued

Similar to "fiercely debated", this stresses the passion and strength of the arguments.

keenly disputed

Highlights the strong disagreement or challenge involved.

FAQs

How can I use "closely contested" in a sentence?

You can use "closely contested" to describe a situation where there is strong competition and the outcome is uncertain. For example: "The election was a "closely contested" race between the two candidates."

What are some alternatives to "closely contested"?

Alternatives to "closely contested" include "tightly fought", "highly competitive", or "hard-fought", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "closely contested" formal or informal?

"Closely contested" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news reports and analytical writing than in casual conversation.

What makes a competition "closely contested"?

A competition is "closely contested" when the participants are evenly matched and the outcome is difficult to predict. Factors such as skill, resources, and strategy contribute to making a competition "closely contested".