compete for power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compete for power" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts discussing political, social, or economic struggles where individuals or groups are vying for control or influence. Example: "In the upcoming election, several candidates will compete for power, each presenting their vision for the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What drives states is the fact that the best way to survive in the system is to be very powerful, and every state understands that, and, therefore, they compete for power.

University of California, Berkeley

It's this anarchy that pushes states to compete for power.

University of California, Berkeley

We're just trying to ensure that Iraqi sects compete for power in less violent ways.

The New York Times

Nick Clegg ended with a coherent speech and a believable claim to compete for power.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are no real ideological rivalries, but different social networks compete for power and wealth.

The New York Times

They compete for power by building coalitions of supporters among both sexes.

The Guardian - Books

Waltz believes that states do compete for power, but it does not make sense to want too much power.

University of California, Berkeley

In other words, it's the structure of the international system that causes states to compete for power.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The second principle provides fair equality of educational and employment opportunities enabling all to fairly compete for powers and positions of office; and it secures for all a guaranteed minimum of all-purpose means (including income and wealth) individuals need to pursue their interests and to maintain their self-respect as free and equal persons.

SEP

Liberal groups capable of competing for power have been destroyed.

The Washington Post

The result could be a melee of warlords competing for power redolent of Afghanistan.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In organizational contexts, "compete for power" effectively illustrates internal rivalries and hierarchical ambitions.

Common error

Be mindful not to overuse "compete for power" when simpler verbs like "compete", "vie", or "contend" can adequately convey the meaning in a more concise manner.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compete for power" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action or state of striving to gain control or authority. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts, highlighting its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compete for power" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that accurately describes the action of striving for control or influence. Ludwig's analysis reveals its common usage in news, academic, and encyclopedia contexts, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian providing ample examples. While alternatives like "vie for dominance" or "struggle for control" exist, understanding the specific nuances of each phrase ensures precise communication. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and versatility of this phrase across various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vie for dominance

This alternative emphasizes the struggle to achieve a superior or controlling position.

struggle for control

This alternative highlights the effort and difficulty involved in gaining control.

contend for authority

This phrase suggests a formal or legitimate claim to power being contested.

fight for influence

This emphasizes the battle to exert influence rather than direct control.

pursue leadership

This alternative focuses on the active seeking of a leadership role.

seek control

This phrase is a more general and direct way of expressing the pursuit of control.

jockey for position

This suggests maneuvering and strategic actions to gain a better position for power.

battle for supremacy

This emphasizes the conflict to achieve the highest level of power or dominance.

rival for supremacy

This emphasizes the rivaling effort to achieve the highest level of power or dominance.

aspire to power

This phrase focuses on the ambition and desire to attain power.

FAQs

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

You can use "compete for power" to describe situations where individuals or groups are vying for control or influence, such as "In the upcoming election, several candidates will "compete for power", each presenting their vision for the future".

What are some alternatives to "compete for power"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "vie for dominance", "struggle for control", or "contend for authority".

Is it correct to say "competing for power" instead of "compete for power"?

"Competing for power" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses (e.g., "They are competing for power"). "Compete for power" is the base form, used in general statements or infinitive phrases (e.g., "They compete for power").

What's the difference between "compete for power" and "compete for influence"?

"Compete for power" implies a struggle for direct control or authority, while "compete for influence" suggests vying for the ability to affect decisions or actions without necessarily holding direct control.