competitive work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "competitive work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe tasks or jobs that involve competition, often in a professional or academic context. Example: "In today's job market, competitive work requires not only skills but also the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"It's very lonely, very competitive work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Is that what will lead to a productive, competitive work force?

The New York Times

He governed with a relentless and competitive work ethic rather than by winning any charm offensives.

The New York Times

If someone appears confrontational, do not take it personally: brashness is part of the city's competitive work culture.

The Economist

"In a competitive work environment like New York City, to find free labor and open advice is incredibly valuable.

The New York Times

Education is essential to the development of a competitive work force and the Internet must be integrated into learning environments from the beginning.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Second, on entering sex work, they experienced intensely competitive working environments fuelled by economic competition.

BMC Public Health

The hothouse for many of these vital connections was a competitive work-study program for budding entrepreneurs called the Mayfield Fellowship Program.

The New York Times

So they decided to go it alone, and many believed that the lack of a competitive work-up would be a fatal flaw.

The New York Times - Sports

This is sensible time management, with a view to the optimisation of personal performance levels in a monumentally competitive working environment.

The Guardian - Tech

Surely intelligent and educated young women, vying for positions in these extremely competitive working environments, are already aware of these unwritten rules of presentation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the general atmosphere of a workplace, use "competitive work environment" to highlight the rivalry and high standards expected.

Common error

While "competitive work" implies a degree of rivalry, avoid using overly dramatic terms if the situation doesn't warrant it. Describing a moderately challenging job as a "cutthroat profession" can be misleading and create the wrong impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "competitive work" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase. It combines the adjective "competitive", modifying the noun "work", to indicate that the work is characterized by rivalry or a strong desire to outperform others. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "competitive work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes work characterized by rivalry and a strong desire to succeed. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and suggests it appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts, often with a neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, consider whether you intend to emphasize the challenging nature, the intensity of the rivalry, or the pressure involved, and choose accordingly. Alternative phrases like "challenging occupation" or "demanding employment" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly competitive field

Emphasizes the industry or area as a whole being competitive.

fiercely competitive career

Adds "fiercely" to further stress the high competition, and replaces "work" with "career".

intensely competitive labor

Emphasizes the intensity of the competition within a work setting.

challenging occupation

Replaces "competitive" with "challenging", focusing on the difficulty rather than the rivalry.

demanding employment

Highlights the high expectations and effort required in the work.

cutthroat profession

Emphasizes the intense and often ruthless competition involved.

high-pressure job

Focuses on the stress and urgency associated with the work.

rivalrous task

Replaces "work" with "task", framing it as a specific assignment with competitors.

combative role

Highlights the adversarial aspect of the work.

contested assignment

Emphasizes that the assignment is being fought over by multiple parties.

FAQs

How can I describe a job that involves a lot of competition?

You can use the phrase "competitive work". Alternatively, consider phrases like "challenging occupation" or "demanding employment" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

What is a "competitive work environment"?

A "competitive work environment" is one where employees are highly motivated to succeed and often vie against each other to achieve goals, promotions, or recognition. It can foster innovation but may also lead to increased stress.

Which is more appropriate, "competitive work" or "collaborative work"?

The choice depends on the context. "Competitive work" describes tasks or environments where individuals or teams are in rivalry, while "collaborative work" refers to situations where cooperation is emphasized. They are essentially opposites.

What are the pros and cons of engaging in "competitive work"?

Pros can include increased productivity, innovation, and skill development. Cons may involve higher stress levels, potential for burnout, and reduced teamwork. The balance depends on individual preferences and the specific work setting.