compete with

USAGE SUMMARY

'compete with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'compete with' to describe a situation where one or more people or entities are trying to achieve something better than another person or entity. For example, "The two teams will compete with each other to determine the winner of the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Never compete with them.

The New Yorker

Don't compete with me".

The Economist

Equity cannot compete with that.

The Economist

Does it compete with nature?

The New York Times - Arts

It can't compete with Dallas".

The New York Times

That's hard to compete with".

The New York Times - Sports

You can't compete with that".

The New York Times

I couldn't compete with that.

The New York Times

"I compete with him".

The New York Times

To compete with the Bird's Nest?

The New Yorker

The brothers compete with different styles, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compete with", ensure that the context clearly indicates what entities are involved in the competition and what they are competing for.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the scope of competition is universally understood. Clearly define the arena of competition to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compete with" functions as a verb phrase indicating rivalry or striving for superiority. It connects a subject (person, company, etc.) with the object of their competition, indicating an active effort to outperform or be more successful. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where entities actively "compete with" each other in various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compete with" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase indicating rivalry or striving for superiority. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives such as "vie against" or "contend with" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. When using "compete with", ensure clarity regarding the entities and arena of competition. This analysis, based on a wide range of real-world examples, offers a thorough understanding of the phrase's usage and application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vie against

Implies a strong sense of rivalry and striving for superiority.

pit oneself against

Emphasizes a direct and intentional confrontation.

contend with

Suggests dealing with difficulties or challenges posed by a rival.

strive against

Focuses on the effort and struggle involved in the competition.

match up against

Implies a comparison of strengths and abilities.

challenge

Focuses on questioning or disputing someone's position or authority.

be in contention with

Formal expression indicating active competition.

rival

Highlights the adversarial nature of the relationship.

take on

Suggests accepting a challenge or opponent.

oppose

Indicates resistance or disagreement.

FAQs

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

Use "compete with" to show that someone or something is trying to be better or more successful than someone or something else. For example: "Our company must "compete with" larger corporations to gain market share."

What are some alternatives to "compete with"?

Alternatives include phrases like "vie against", "contend with", or "challenge depending on the specific context".

Is it correct to say "compete against" instead of "compete with"?

Both "compete with" and "compete against" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable, but "compete with" often emphasizes the entities involved in the competition, while "compete against" can emphasize the opposition. The choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Compete with" implies a rivalry or striving for superiority, while "compare with" simply means to assess the similarities and differences between two or more things. They have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably.