come to compete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come to compete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals or teams arriving at a location or event with the intention of participating in a competition. Example: "Athletes from around the world come to compete in the Olympic Games every four years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I mean, layup after layup, we just didn't come to compete tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

They come to compete; they come to win! Luckily, they come in almost imperceptibly small numbers.

Independent

They had come to compete in the United States National Snowshoe Championships.

The New York Times - Sports

Hundreds of high schools from the region and the country come to compete at the center.

The New York Times

I had come to compete and every hill was making this less likely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Texas Relays, second only to the Penn Relays in scope, is where high school, college and pro athletes come to compete on a national stage.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

We came to compete.

The New York Times - Sports

Millions of images came to compete for our attention.

The New York Times - Arts

Every national team that comes to compete will find a welcoming committee from their homes.

The New York Times - Travel

Some 80,000 hairdressers, from 25 countries, came to compete or watch.

The New Yorker

A team from Ukraine is coming to compete against contestants from New York, Seattle and Atlanta.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come to compete" when you want to emphasize the intention or purpose behind someone's arrival at a specific location or event. It indicates a proactive and competitive mindset.

Common error

Avoid using "come to compete" when simply stating someone's presence at an event without implying a competitive intent. For instance, saying "They came to watch the game" is more appropriate if they aren't participating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to compete" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It clarifies the reason or intention behind someone's arrival or presence at a particular event or location. Examples from Ludwig show this usage clearly, indicating a competitive mindset.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come to compete" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the intention of participating in a competitive event with the goal of winning or performing well. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. It's versatile and suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and general communication. When using the phrase, remember to emphasize the competitive intent and consider alternatives like "arrive to compete" or "participate in competition" for slight variations in meaning. Keep in mind, it is best suited for scenarios when you want to emphasize a proactive and competitive mindset.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive to compete

Replaces "come" with "arrive", focusing on the act of reaching a location for competition.

participate in competition

Shifts focus from arrival to the action of taking part in a competitive event.

enter the competition

Emphasizes the act of formally joining a competition.

take part in the contest

Uses "contest" instead of "competition" and "take part" instead of "compete".

vie for victory

A more figurative expression, implying a strong desire to win.

contend for the prize

Similar to "vie for victory", but uses "contend" and specifies a "prize".

compete for a title

Focuses on the specific goal of winning a title.

strive for success

A broader phrase that encompasses any effort to achieve a positive outcome.

aim to win

Highlights the intention to achieve victory.

be in the running

Suggests being a potential contender, but not necessarily winning.

FAQs

How can I use "come to compete" in a sentence?

You can use "come to compete" to emphasize the purpose of someone's arrival at an event. For example, "Athletes from all over the world "come to compete" in the Olympics."

What are some alternatives to "come to compete"?

Alternatives include "arrive to compete", "participate in competition", or "enter the competition", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "come to compete" and "come to participate"?

"Come to compete" implies a stronger emphasis on winning and striving for achievement, whereas "come to participate" suggests simply taking part in an event without necessarily prioritizing victory.

Which is more formal, "come to compete" or "compete"?

"Compete" is generally more direct and formal. "Come to compete" adds a nuance of intention and arrival, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts depending on the overall tone of the writing.