compete over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'compete over' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation in which two or more parties are competing against each other to gain something. For example: "The two companies competed over the contract to build the new development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Republicans compete over who would be the toughest opponent for her.

The Economist

We compete over our houses, but we're friendly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now he and Amaia compete over who is more fluent.

The Guardian

Social networks now compete over access to customers' data and the profit potential of social platforms.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The models compete over which can best explain the past experiences of the robot," Lipson said.

Cornell University

Racers then compete over a distance of 500 miles (800 km), or 200 laps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We should compete over who gets to the bananas first in the grocery store.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The families in his village competed over whose sons would be sent to the madrasa.

The Guardian

"They both competed over who was the most extreme on immigration, which we weren't that interested in.

The New Yorker

What they are really competing over are resources--resources that are controlled by males.

Huffington Post

They will also sell one of two competing over-the-counter lice medications.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compete over" when you want to emphasize that the competition is about gaining control or access to something specific. For instance, "companies compete over market share".

Common error

Avoid using "compete over" when the competition is simply about performing better, not about gaining something tangible. In those cases, use "compete in" or "compete at".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compete over" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of rivalry or contention between two or more entities. It describes the act of striving against others to gain or control something. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compete over" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe rivalry or contention for a specific object or resource. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. The phrase is "very common", appearing frequently in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications. While "compete over" suggests a struggle for control, it is important to note that the specific preposition may change the meaning of the sentence as other forms such as "compete for" and "compete on" can be used in subtly different ways. The phrase should be avoided when referring to an abstract situation such as sport when you should use "compete in" or "compete at".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compete for

A direct synonym, simply replacing "over" with "for".

vie for

Focuses on a struggle to obtain something, often implying rivalry.

contend for

Emphasizes the effort and argument involved in a competition.

rival for

Highlights the antagonistic nature of the competition.

struggle for

Implies a difficult and intense effort to gain something.

battle for

Suggests a fierce and aggressive competition.

wrestle for

Conveys a sense of physical or intense struggle.

jockey for position

Emphasizes maneuvering to gain an advantageous position.

contend with

Focuses more on the opposition encountered during the competition.

lock horns over

Emphasizes direct conflict and disagreement.

FAQs

How is "compete over" different from "compete for"?

While similar, "compete over" often implies a struggle for dominance or control, whereas "compete for" is a more general term for seeking something desirable. For example, nations might "compete over" resources, but "compete for" medals.

What are some alternatives to "compete over"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "vie for", "contend for", or "struggle for".

Is it correct to say "compete on" instead of "compete over"?

The preposition depends on the context. "Compete on" suggests the basis of competition (e.g., "compete on price"), while ""compete over"" indicates the object of competition (e.g., ""compete over" resources").

How do I use "compete over" in a sentence?

Use ""compete over"" when two or more entities are vying for the same limited resource, territory, or position. For example: "Companies "compete over" market share."