competitive with

USAGE SUMMARY

"competitive with" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate a comparison of competitive ability or knowledge between two or more people, groups, organizations, or things. For example, "I've been studying hard to keep competitive with my classmates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Competitive with what?

The New York Times

Do you feel competitive with your wife?

The New York Times

Even flying is competitive with train fares.

The New York Times

They're still competitive with anybody".

The New York Times

I'm not competitive with Dave.

The Guardian - Film

Kureishi remains competitive with Rushdie.

The Guardian - Books

Was she competitive with him?

The New York Times - Magazine

Look, I'm not competitive with her.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm competitive with myself," she said.

The New Yorker

Now we're competitive with local police forces".

The New York Times

I don't think you can be competitive with much more".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "competitive with", ensure you clearly define the scope of the comparison. Specify the criteria on which the comparison is based (e.g., price, quality, performance) for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "competitive with" without specifying what is being compared. For example, instead of saying "Our product is competitive", state "Our product is competitive with similar products in terms of price and features."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competitive with" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, primarily used to describe something that is able to rival or match another in terms of quality, price, or other desirable attributes. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "competitive with" is a widely used comparative phrase that indicates the ability to rival or match another entity. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, science, and business contexts. For optimal use, specify the criteria of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "on par with" or "comparable to" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can compete with

Highlights the ability to participate in a competition, directly referencing the act of competing.

on par with

Indicates equality in performance or quality; more direct than "competitive with".

able to rival

Emphasizes the capacity to be a competitor, suggesting potential.

comparable to

Focuses on similarities rather than competition, implying a general resemblance.

matches up to

Suggests an ability to meet a certain standard or level, often in terms of quality or performance.

rivals

Highlights the competitive aspect, implying a strong opposition.

as good as

Simplifies the comparison to a direct statement of equal quality.

in the same league as

Suggests being at the same level of skill, quality, or importance.

holds its own against

Emphasizes resilience and ability to withstand competition.

measures up to

Focuses on meeting specific criteria or standards in a competitive setting.

FAQs

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

You can use "competitive with" to compare the qualities of two or more things, such as "Our prices are "competitive with" other stores" or "His skills are "competitive with" the best players in the league".

What's a good alternative to "competitive with"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "comparable to", "on par with", or "as good as".

Which is correct, "competitive with" or "in competition with"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Competitive with" emphasizes a comparison of qualities, while "in competition with" focuses on the act of competing.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "competitive with"?

It is appropriate to use "competitive with" in contexts where you are comparing the relative merits or abilities of two or more entities. This can be in business, sports, academics, or any other field where comparisons are made.