contend on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contend on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition is "with" or "against." Example: "The two teams will contend with each other for the championship title."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It wasn't just that Bubba Watson cruised to his three-shot victory, it's that playing partner Jordan Spieth was really the only one to seriously contend on the final day.

Los Angeles Times

None of those countries have enough talent to contend on their own, but combining them into one team at least gives fans a chance to see stars like Anze Kopitar (Slovenia), Zdeno Chara (Slovakia) and Roman Josi (Switzerland), who'd otherwise be excluded from the action.

The Guardian - Sport

His lawyers continued to contend on Wednesday that he is not competent to stand trial.

The New York Times

To contend on the major stage and to do it at home is even better".

The Guardian - Sport

"Well, it is difficult, because at that point you feel like you've lost your ability to contend on Sunday," Donald said.

The New York Times

"The rush is hard to explain," Duval said, describing what it's like to contend on Sunday on the back nine at Augusta National Golf Club.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

By the end, three bidders were contending, one of them on the phone from Belgium.

The New Yorker

In arguing for the high bail, Assistant District Attorney Cindy Martelli contended on Thursday that Mr. Sellers was one of the key leaders of the illegal street demonstrations Tuesday in which more than 200 protesters were arrested.

The New York Times

EADS officials contended on Wednesday that the competition should not be altered.

The New York Times

There are "arguments on both sides", he contended on the Guardian politics blog.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I had six bad holes that cost me a chance of contending on the weekend".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "contend on" with more standard phrases like "compete with", "argue for", or "deal with", depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "contend". The correct prepositions are typically "with" (to compete) or potentially "that" (to assert). Using "contend on" can confuse readers and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contend on" is typically used to express an act of competing or asserting something. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect. The correct usage involves using "contend with" for competition or "contend that" for asserting a belief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "contend on" appears in various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags it as an error, recommending alternatives such as "contend with" or rephrasing the sentence altogether. Given its grammatical issues, it's best to avoid "contend on" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer, more accepted phrases like ""compete with"", "argue for", or "deal with" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources. Always prioritize grammatical correctness to enhance the credibility and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compete for

Highlights the act of striving against others for a goal.

compete with

Focuses on the act of rivalry or competition, replacing the "contend" aspect of the original phrase.

struggle against

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in opposing something, highlighting the confrontational aspect.

assert something

Emphasizes the act of stating or declaring something firmly, shifting from competition to affirmation.

battle for

Uses a metaphor that suggests a more aggressive contention.

vie for

Indicates striving for superiority, replacing "contend" with a more direct competitive term.

argue for

Highlights the presentation of reasons to support a point, changing the focus from struggle to persuasion.

maintain that

Highlights the act of firmly believing in something, rather than competing.

deal with

Focuses on managing or handling a situation, moving away from competitive aspects.

cope with

Focuses on the ability to manage difficulties, diverging from competitive implications.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "contend" in a sentence?

The verb "contend" is typically followed by "with" to indicate competition (e.g., "They will "compete with" each other") or "that" to introduce a statement or belief (e.g., "They "assert that" the results are accurate").

What can I say instead of "contend on"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives such as ""compete with"" for competition, "argue for" for presenting a case, or "deal with" for managing a situation.

Is "contend on" grammatically correct?

No, "contend on" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct prepositions to use with "contend" are typically "with" or to introduce a clause with "that".

What is the difference between "contend with" and "contend on"?

"Contend with" means to struggle or compete against something, while "contend on" is not a standard or grammatically correct usage. Use "contend with" to properly convey the idea of competition or struggle.