compete for a title

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compete for a title" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where individuals or teams are striving to win a championship or recognition in a competition. Example: "The teams will compete for a title in the upcoming championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"They've got a great chance to compete for a title," Smith said.

The New York Times - Sports

The Knicks will need a lot more creativity to compete for a title, however.

The New York Times - Sports

Teams often compete for a title that is recognized regionally or nationally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a collegian he wants to compete for a title now.

The New York Times - Sports

PHOENIX — If the Mets believe they can compete for a title in 2017, something may need to change.

The New York Times - Sports

Judy, is it true that Jerry Jones no longer cares whether the Cowboys compete for a title as long as he still has money to count?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Force, in contrast, competes for a title that pays $500,000.

The New York Times

They're at the level they need to be in competing for a title".

The New York Times - Sports

The Angels went from 41 games out last season to competing for a title this October.

The New York Times - Sports

While the Kings are clearly one of the N.B.A.'s elite teams, they looked at least a dominating center away from competing for a title any time soon.

The New York Times - Sports

But they have Flynn — who has been outstanding at summer league — to hold down the point-guard duties for now, and no illusions about competing for a title next season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compete for a title", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific competition or area of achievement. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "compete for a title" in vague contexts where the nature of the competition is unclear. Instead, specify the type of title or award being pursued to provide clarity and relevance to your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compete for a title" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of striving to win a championship or significant recognition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English. The examples show its use in contexts ranging from sports to educational games.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compete for a title" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe the act of striving to win a championship or significant recognition. As Ludwig AI states, the expression is acceptable and usable in English. Though relatively infrequent, it appears in varied contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and academic discussions. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the competition or area of achievement to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vie for a championship

Replaces "title" with "championship", emphasizing a specific type of competition.

contend for a championship

Uses "contend" instead of "compete", implying a more intense struggle.

challenge for a title

Emphasizes the act of posing a challenge to win the title.

fight for a title

Suggests a more aggressive and determined effort to win.

battle for a title

Implies a difficult and prolonged struggle.

strive for a title

Highlights the effort and dedication required.

pursue a championship

Focuses on the long-term effort of achieving the championship.

seek a championship

Indicates an active search and attempt to gain the championship.

aim for a title

Highlights the targeted goal of winning a title.

play for a title

Suggests engagement in a game or competition with the title as the prize.

FAQs

How can I use "compete for a title" in a sentence?

You can use "compete for a title" to describe teams or individuals striving to win a championship or significant recognition in a competition. For example, "The teams will "compete for a title" in the upcoming championship game".

What are some alternatives to "compete for a title"?

Alternatives include "vie for a championship", "contend for a championship", or "challenge for a title", each carrying slightly different nuances of striving for victory.

Is it appropriate to use "compete for a title" in formal writing?

Yes, "compete for a title" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in sports journalism, academic analysis, or business reports, where discussing competition and achievement is relevant. However, consider alternatives to make text not too repetitive.

What is the difference between "compete for a title" and "compete for a championship"?

While similar, "compete for a championship" generally refers to a more specific, high-stakes competition, whereas "compete for a title" can be used more broadly to refer to any significant recognition or award. You could "compete for a title" in writing competition but you "compete for a championship" in the NBA.