competitive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'competitive to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean 'in competition with.' For example: "Many young students are extremely competitive to get into the best universities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's incredibly competitive to key a show," Mr. Howard said.

The New York Times

"It's always competitive to get a spot," he said.

The New York Times

My hope was to be competitive, to establish the credentials.

The New York Times - Sports

It's so competitive to make the Kenyan team, that's almost tougher than the Olympic final.

Independent

Proof that not all authors are too curmudgeonly or competitive to have friends.

The New Yorker

Most manufacturing has become too mechanised and competitive to employ large numbers of people.

The Economist

You know, you have to be very competitive to run for political office".

The New Yorker

"We've put ourselves in a position where we can be competitive to attract tenants".

The New York Times

Most obsessively competitive to the detriment of ever having normal human relations with anybody?

Britannica

When they stopped voting Republican, New Castle County went from politically competitive to overwhelmingly Democratic territory.

The New York Times

Maybe Collins was too much like Jordan, competitive to the point of compulsive.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "competitive to", ensure you clarify the specific area or aspect in which the comparison is being made. For instance, specify if you are referring to price, quality, or market share.

Common error

Avoid using "competitive to" without clearly defining the context of competition. Vague statements can lead to misinterpretations. Always specify the criteria for competitiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competitive to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun by indicating its ability to rival or match another entity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "competitive to" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that denotes rivalry or comparability. Ludwig AI confirms this and offers numerous real-world examples. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. While common, writers should ensure clarity by specifying the context of competition. The expression finds frequent use in the New York Times, the Guardian, and TechCrunch, among other authoritative sources. When seeking alternatives, consider "comparable to" or "in competition with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in competition with

Directly states the state of being in a competitive environment.

rivaling

Highlights a state of competition and potential equivalence in quality or success.

in contention with

Emphasizes the act of competing or striving for the same goal.

able to compete with

Highlights the capability to be competitive rather than the actual act of competition.

comparable with

This phrase indicates a similarity in quality or characteristics, rather than direct competition.

contending with

Indicates active competition, often in challenging circumstances.

challenging

Focuses on the act of competing against a standard or another entity.

on par with

Suggests being equal or equivalent in status or quality, reducing the sense of active competition.

a match for

Indicates the ability to compete equally or effectively.

holding its own against

Shows the ability to compete while facing challenges, indicating resilience.

FAQs

How can I use "competitive to" in a sentence?

You can use "competitive to" to show something is competing or comparable with something else. For instance, "The new product is very "competitive to" existing market leaders".

What are some alternatives to saying "competitive to"?

Alternatives include "comparable to", "on par with", or "in competition with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "competitive to" or should I use another phrase?

"Competitive to" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, consider alternatives like "rivaling" or "challenging" for a more nuanced meaning depending on context.

What does "competitive to" mean?

It means being in a position to rival or compete effectively with something else, often in terms of quality, price, or performance. Think of it as "able to compete with".