competing in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competing in" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone participating in a competition or contest. Example: Sarah trained for months before finally competing in the annual marathon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She quit competing in 2005.

The New York Times - Sports

Undecided about competing in the indoor season.

Independent

We aren't competing in that arena.

The New Yorker

"We're competing in a global economy.

The New York Times

(James was not competing in the race).

The New York Times

"We're not competing in spirituality.

The New York Times - Style

Hannah Cockroft competing in May.

The Guardian - Sport

Nicklaus will be competing in the event.

The New York Times - Sports

She is known for competing in dressage.

The New York Times

Cruising rather than competing in his sailboat?

The New York Times

Competing in the morning, Mr. Phelps said, was no problem.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's involvement in a specific event, ensure the noun following "in" accurately reflects the nature of the competition (e.g., "competing in the Olympics" versus "competing in a local race").

Common error

Avoid using "competing in" when the activity doesn't involve a direct contest or rivalry. Use "participating in" or "involved in" instead for collaborative or non-competitive scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competing in" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating active participation in a contest, event, or competition. Ludwig's examples confirm its use to describe engagement in various competitive activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "competing in" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe participation in a contest or competition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability across different contexts. As the examples demonstrate, it's frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "participating in", "competing in" specifically emphasizes the competitive aspect. When using this phrase, ensure that the activity described involves a direct contest and that the following noun accurately reflects the nature of the competition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participating in

Replaces the word "competing" with a more general term for taking part.

taking part in

Emphasizes the act of joining or engaging in an activity.

involved in

Highlights being included or engaged in something.

contending in

Suggests a more direct and potentially aggressive form of competition.

vying for

Indicates striving to win or achieve something.

challenging for

Implies actively seeking a position or title.

battling for

Suggests a fierce and determined struggle for victory.

in the running for

Indicates being a possible candidate for a prize or position.

in contention for

Similar to "in the running", suggesting a chance of winning.

partaking in

A more formal way of saying "taking part in".

FAQs

How can I use "competing in" in a sentence?

Use "competing in" to describe someone's active participation in a contest or competition. For example, "She is "competing in" the national swimming championship this year".

What are some alternatives to "competing in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "participating in", "taking part in", or "involved in".

Is it correct to say "competing at" instead of "competing in"?

While "competing at" can be used, ""competing in"" is generally more common and idiomatic when referring to a specific event or competition. "Competing at" often implies a higher level or broader context (e.g., "competing at the Olympic level").

What's the difference between "competing in" and "contending for"?

"Competing in" describes participation in a competition, while "contending for" emphasizes the struggle or effort to win something. "Contending for" implies a more active and determined pursuit of a specific prize or title.