compete against

USAGE SUMMARY

"compete against" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means to compare oneself or one's abilities to another in order to decide who succeeds or is superior. Example: He decided to compete against his brother in the spelling bee.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They must compete against subsidised European stuff.

The Economist

I want to compete against them".

The New York Times - Sports

"I wanted to compete against the best.

The New York Times - Sports

Can't compete against Harry Potter?

The New York Times

It's hard to compete against free.

The Guardian - Tech

They would compete against other plantations.

The New York Times - Arts

I compete against myself and the crossbar".

The New York Times - Sports

"No, I just compete against myself".

The New York Times

We're going to compete against him.

The New York Times - Sports

Not the men she will compete against.

The New York Times - Sports

Yankees teams compete against their own legacy.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compete against", ensure clarity by specifying who or what is being competed against. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "compete against" when "compete" alone suffices in reflexive constructions. For instance, prefer "compete to improve" over "compete against oneself to improve".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "compete against" functions primarily as a dynamic verb, indicating an action of rivalry or contest. Ludwig examples show its application in various contexts, such as business, sports, and personal development, emphasizing the act of striving to outperform another entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "compete against" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates rivalry or opposition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in various contexts. Its prevalence in news, scientific literature, and general writing makes it a valuable phrase to understand and use effectively. Remember to clearly specify who or what is being competed against to avoid ambiguity, and consider alternatives like "vie with" or "contend with" for more formal settings. By mastering its usage, you can confidently express competitive scenarios in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vie with

Emphasizes striving for superiority, often in a more formal context.

contend with

Highlights dealing with challenges or opposition while trying to achieve something.

go head-to-head with

Emphasizes a direct and personal confrontation in a competition.

challenge

Focuses on directly confronting someone or something in a competitive manner.

take on

Indicates accepting a challenge or competition against someone or something.

oppose

Implies a direct conflict or resistance to another entity.

battle

Suggests a more intense and potentially prolonged competitive struggle.

struggle against

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in competing.

rival

Implies an ongoing competitive relationship.

measure oneself against

Focuses on evaluating one's own abilities in comparison to others.

FAQs

How can I use "compete against" in a sentence?

Use "compete against" to describe a situation where individuals or entities are striving to outperform each other. For example, "Our company must "compete against" larger firms to gain market share."

What's a formal alternative to "compete against"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "vie with" or "contend with" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it correct to say "compete against each other"?

Yes, "compete against each other" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate mutual competition. For example, "The two teams will "compete against" each other in the finals."

What is the difference between "compete with" and "compete against"?

While often used interchangeably, "compete with" generally implies a broader scope of competition, whereas "compete against" suggests a more direct and confrontational rivalry. In most cases, either phrase is acceptable.