competition is steep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competition is steep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are many strong competitors in a particular market or field, indicating that it is challenging to succeed. Example: "In the tech industry, competition is steep, making it essential for companies to innovate constantly to stay ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In Italy, style is a sport and the competition is steep.

The New York Times - Style

And, as the studio's glorious views of Manhattan demonstrate, the competition is steep.

The New York Times - Arts

The competition is steep in the social media space, with Viralheat competing with a plethora of startups and companies, including Radian6, Visible Measures, Omgili, ScoutLabs, and Omniture.

TechCrunch

Follow him on InsTheram (@instamatticompetition

Vice

The real estate industry is vast and competition is steep.

Huffington Post

Yes, competition is steep, and there will always be someone who is further along.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"The competition is steeper than last year," Ms. Manneh said after the talent competition.

The New York Times

"As there's more and more product out there, and the competition is steeper and steeper, it's something you can do to distinguish your project," he added.

The New York Times

The competition was steep: other finalists were "The Stories of John Cheever, William Faulknerr's "Collected Stories," "The Collected Stories of Eudora Welty," Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" and Thomas Pynchon's "Gravity's Rainbow".

The New York Times

These oaks lack lower branches, a common feature of trees that grow up in the forest where competition for light is steep.

The New York Times

While the food market is huge (everybody's gotta eat) the competition for customers is steep, including other health-minded meal kit companies like Green Chef, Purple Carrot and Plated, as well as gourmet grocers and restaurants offering "healthful options" to diners.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "competition is steep", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being competed for and why the competition is considered difficult. For example, specify the industry, market, or field where the competition is intense.

Common error

Avoid using "competition is steep" without specifying the area of competition. For instance, instead of saying "competition is steep", specify "competition in the software industry is steep" to provide a clearer context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competition is steep" functions as a descriptive statement. It characterizes the nature of competition in a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard expression. Examples show it describing competition in various fields, from social media to real estate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "competition is steep" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe situations where there is intense rivalry. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It’s most frequently found in news and media contexts, conveying that achieving success is challenging due to numerous strong competitors. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its impact can be strengthened by specifying the area of competition. Alternatives include "competition is fierce" and "competition is intense". Remember to avoid overgeneralization and provide specific context to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competition is fierce

Replaces "steep" with "fierce" to emphasize the aggressive and intense nature of the competition.

competition is intense

Uses "intense" instead of "steep" to highlight the high level of activity and pressure in the competition.

competition is cutthroat

Emphasizes the ruthless and unforgiving nature of the competition.

competition is stiff

Replaces "steep" with "stiff" to suggest difficulty and resistance in the competition.

the market is oversaturated

Focuses on the abundance of competitors in the market, leading to intense rivalry.

it's a dog-eat-dog world

Uses an idiom to convey the ruthless and competitive nature of the environment.

the field is crowded

Highlights the large number of participants or competitors in a particular area.

the stakes are high

Focuses on the significant potential gains or losses in the competition.

the pressure is on

Emphasizes the stress and demands of the competitive environment.

success is hard-earned

Highlights the effort and difficulty required to achieve success in a competitive setting.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "competition is steep"?

Saying "competition is steep" means that the level of competition is high, making it difficult to succeed or stand out. It suggests that there are many strong contenders vying for the same resources or opportunities.

What can I say instead of "competition is steep"?

You can use alternatives like "competition is fierce", "competition is intense", or "competition is stiff" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "competition is steep" in formal writing?

Yes, "competition is steep" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business or academic contexts. However, consider alternatives such as "competition is intense" for a slightly more formal tone.

How do I use "competition is steep" in a sentence?

You can use "competition is steep" to describe various scenarios. For example, "In the real estate market, "competition is steep" among agents trying to secure listings" or "The "competition is steep" for research grants in the field of biomedical engineering".