compete for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "compete for something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals or groups striving to win or achieve a particular goal, prize, or position. Example: "Several teams will compete for the championship title this season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They have spent three days in a Manhattan wonderland, but the time has come to compete for something called the National Orchestra Cup.

The New York Times

Plus, every year at the end-of-season party, George Steinbrenner rents the playoffs and gets them drunk and promises his players that they can have their way with them, and who doesn't prefer that over having to compete for something?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Once I got here and I realized that we were here competing for something, then it made me want to elevate my game better," Ariza said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The old world map as we knew it, of a red side and blue side that competed for something called the third world, is gone," General Powell said.

The New York Times

Being part of something that's growing fast is better than being part of something that isn't growing fast because opportunities are essentially everywhere and you're not competing for something.

The New York Times

Opportunities that will come to us because the old world map as we knew it of a red side and a blue side that competed for something called the third world is gone.

The New York Times

"We would be looking at this decision even if they were competing for something; we would have had to have this discussion.

BBC

Because I sensed we were competing for something.

Huffington Post

Tonight, in a darkly comical display of bad timing, the two sides will line up against each other at Easter Road, the Hibernian ground in Edinburgh, where they'll be competing for something called the "Qatar Airways Cup".

Vice

It's bizarre and kind of backward, getting especially excited about a team on the last day of the year because they've basically sucked for every other day of the season, but the reality is that these teams are competing for something different than the top six or so teams in the English Premier League.

Vice

Oh and "true beauty" is something to compete for and something that can win you a cash prize.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compete for something", ensure the context clearly defines what is being competed for. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example, "Teams compete for the championship trophy" is clearer than "Teams compete for something."

Common error

Avoid using "compete for something" without specifying the objective. This can lead to confusion. Instead of saying, "They compete for something", be specific: "They "compete for the championship"" or "They "compete for funding"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compete for something" functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate in a sentence. It indicates an action of striving against others to achieve a particular goal or objective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "compete for something" is a grammatically correct and functionally versatile verb phrase that describes the action of striving against others to achieve a specific objective. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its acceptability and common usage, although with a limited occurrences. The primary usage context lies within news and media, showing its relevancy in describing competitive scenarios. While alternative expressions like "vie for something" or "strive for something" exist, ensuring the specific objective of the competition is clearly stated will add precision and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vie for something

Replaces "compete" with "vie", suggesting a more intense or competitive effort.

strive for something

Emphasizes effort and determination in pursuing a goal.

contend for something

Suggests active opposition or rivalry in seeking a specific objective.

pursue something

Focuses on actively seeking or trying to achieve something.

seek something

Implies a deliberate attempt to find or obtain something.

aim for something

Highlights the setting of a specific target or goal.

try for something

Indicates an attempt or effort to achieve a particular outcome.

compete to get something

Specifies "get" as the outcome of competing.

battle for something

Conveys a strong sense of struggle and determination in the pursuit.

rival for something

Indicates direct competition with others for a specific purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "compete for something" when you want to express that individuals or groups are striving to win or achieve a specific goal, prize, or position. For example, "Several companies "compete for the contract"."

What are some alternatives to "compete for something"?

You can use alternatives like "vie for something", "strive for something", or "contend for something" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "compete for something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "compete for something". It's a common and acceptable phrase in English.

What does "compete for something" imply?

The phrase "compete for something" implies that there is a goal or prize that multiple parties are trying to achieve, often in a situation where not everyone can succeed. It suggests a level of rivalry and effort to obtain a specific outcome.