contend

USAGE SUMMARY

'contend' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a transitive verb that can be used to refer to competing or struggling with an idea, activity, or thing. For example, "The two teams will contend for the championship trophy at the end of the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or has he changed his mind because there's pressure in the Conservative party and he's worried about Ukip? "I contend it's the second, not the first.

The Guardian

The language of description is always a matter of equivalence (a word equals the thing it describes) and so cannot contend with the sublime.

The Guardian - Books

You've won a lot, but you've also had to contend with Osgood-Schlatter disease and epilepsy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maike Currie, associate investment director at Fidelity Personal Investing, said that while removing the income tax on interest earned on cash "makes for a great headline", it would do little for cash savers who had to contend with paltry rates.

The Guardian - Money

Residents of southern California contend with the highest cancer risk from air pollution in the state, according to regulators.

The Guardian

All the parties have to contend with public weariness and cynicism – not just about the behaviour of politicians but over whether politics itself can do much to change things.

The Guardian

"We know it's a challenge, we faced up to [Arturo] Vidal and [Alexis] Sanchez against Chile, so most countries have got some world-class forwards to contend with.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.55pm BST14:55 Petacchi isn't the only one with a bee to contend with - race leader Marcel Kittel has one buzzing in his bonnet, tetchily ordering the crowd out of the way as the pack begin the climb to Holme Moss.

The Guardian - Sport

There are, of course, plenty of people – breadheads, if you will – who contend that bagged bread is absolute filth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She, too, had threatened officers with a knife, but her attorneys contend police escalated an already volatile situation when they forced their way into her room with guns drawn.

The Guardian

These are just some of the myths that those familiar with the continent will have had to contend with at one time or another.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contend" to express a formal disagreement or to introduce a perspective that opposes a prevailing view.

Common error

Avoid using "contend" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "argue", "say", or "believe" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contend" is as a verb. It is used to express arguing, asserting, or grappling with something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts, confirming its active role in constructing sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contend" is a versatile verb primarily used to express arguments, assertions, or struggles, particularly in formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. While "contend" is widely used in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, it's less frequent in encyclopedias or wikis. When writing, it's essential to support your claims with solid arguments and to avoid using "contend" in very informal settings. Related terms such as "argue", "assert", and "maintain" can be used as alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

argue

Shares the meaning of expressing a point of view forcefully.

assert

Implies stating something confidently and forcefully.

maintain

Suggests persistently affirming something.

compete

Focuses on striving against others to achieve a goal.

struggle

Highlights the difficulty and effort involved in dealing with something.

cope with

Emphasizes the act of managing or dealing with a difficult situation.

deal with

Focuses on addressing or handling a situation.

grapple with

Implies a close and difficult struggle to overcome something.

vie for

Highlights the competitive aspect of striving for something.

fight for

Emphasizes a determined and forceful effort to achieve or defend something.

FAQs

How to use "contend" in a sentence?

"Contend" can be used to express an argument or a struggle. For example, "She will "argue" that the evidence supports her claim" or "They had to "cope with" numerous difficulties during the project".

What can I say instead of "contend"?

You can use alternatives like "argue", "assert", or "maintain", depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Which is correct, "contend" or "argue"?

Both "contend" and "argue" are correct, but "contend" often implies a more formal or forceful expression of a viewpoint. The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "contend with" and "deal with"?

"Contend with" suggests a struggle or challenge, while "deal with" is a more general term for handling a situation. Therefore, "contend with" implies more difficulty than "deal with".