contend for

USAGE SUMMARY

"contend for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb phrase that means "to compete or strive for something". For example, "The two teams will contend for the championship title this weekend".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He could contend for his 15th major.

The New York Times

North and contend for the conference championship.

The New York Times - Sports

They had another tournament to contend for.

The New York Times

I expect us to contend for the Cup.

The New York Times

We came here to contend for this trophy," he declared.

The New York Times - Sports

That team could contend for a medal by itself.

The New York Times

Miami expected to contend for the Eastern Conference title.

The New York Times - Sports

Right now, there is a championship to contend for again.

The New York Times - Sports

Few, if any, predicted they would contend for the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

He hoped his boat would contend for a medal.

The New York Times - Sports

He expected to contend for a national championship.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contend for" when you want to emphasize the competitive aspect of striving for a goal or position. It suggests a situation where multiple parties are actively trying to achieve the same thing.

Common error

Avoid using "contend for" when describing individual efforts without direct competition. For example, instead of saying "He contended for success by working hard", prefer "He strived for success" because there isn't an explicit opponent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contend for" functions as a verb phrase expressing active competition or striving. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it typically involves multiple entities aiming for the same goal, such as a title, championship, or position. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contend for" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of competing or striving for something, as validated by Ludwig AI. This guide provides a detailed analysis of its grammar, usage, and related phrases. It's commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Alternatives like ""compete for"" or "strive for" offer similar meanings but with subtle differences. Remember to use "contend for" in situations involving active competition to maintain accuracy and clarity. This guide also highlights common errors and best practices to enhance your writing. With its widespread presence in authoritative sources, mastering "contend for" will refine and strengthen your communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compete for

Directly expresses the act of competing, similar to "contend for" but with a more general application.

vie for

Implies a more intense rivalry or competition than "contend for".

strive for

Focuses on the effort and ambition involved in pursuing a goal, slightly less direct than "contend for".

compete to win

Emphasizes the goal of winning, making the competitive aspect more explicit compared to "contend for".

battle for

Suggests a more aggressive and challenging competition than "contend for".

fight for

Similar to "battle for", highlighting the struggle involved in the competition compared to "contend for".

pursue

Indicates a determined effort to achieve something, less directly competitive than "contend for".

seek to gain

Focuses on the desired outcome, less on the competition, in comparison to "contend for".

aim for

Highlights the intention of achieving a specific goal, subtly different from the competitive sense of "contend for".

endeavor to secure

Emphasizes the effort to make something safe or guarantee, more formal than “contend for”.

FAQs

How can I use "contend for" in a sentence?

Use "contend for" to describe a situation where individuals or groups are competing for something. For example, "Several companies are expected to "compete for" the contract".

What are some alternatives to "contend for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""compete for"", "vie for", or "strive for".

Is it better to use "contend for" or "compete for"?

"Contend for" and ""compete for"" are often interchangeable, but "contend for" can sometimes imply a more intense or formal competition.

What's the difference between "contend for" and "struggle for"?

"Contend for" emphasizes the competition aspect, while "struggle for" highlights the difficulty or hardship involved in trying to achieve something. Using "contend for" indicates there are opponents involved, while "struggle for" suggests that there are difficulties.