contended for both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contended for both" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing arguments or claims made for two different positions or ideas, but it would need clarification. Example: "In the debate, she contended for both sides of the argument, showcasing her understanding of the complexities involved."

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He was a college debater on a high enough level that he and his partner contended for both the national and international title.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This peace is seen not only in sales, but in the increasing way books contend for both genre and literary awards.

Vice

Houston's Kevin Kunnert and Washington both contended for the rebound, which Kunnert eventually got and passed out to teammate John Lucas.

Wikipedia

His lawyers at The Hague, both Serbian-Americans, contended for almost two years that the arrest was illegal.

The New York Times

The military chiefs Daulat Rao Sindhia and Jaswant Rao Holkar (Hulkar), both with disciplined forces at their back, contended for the control of the peshwa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Mets never really contended for Reyes.

The New York Times - Sports

Of the remaining teams, most have never contended for the title and most have lost money.

The New York Times - Sports

It is appropriate to say that Christianity has contended for a "holistic" view of the human.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hamlin won eight times last year and contended for the series title, which Jimmie Johnson won.

The New York Times - Sports

It is four years since he won his last major, three since he contended for victory.

Independent

Instead he finished tied sixth behind Martin Kaymer and never contended for the title.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contended for both", ensure the context clearly indicates two distinct objectives being pursued. Avoid using it when the objectives are interconnected or overlap.

Common error

Avoid using "contended for both" when the objectives are essentially the same or inherently linked. For instance, don't say someone "contended for both victory and success" if victory largely defines success in that scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contended for both" functions as a verbal phrase indicating active competition or striving toward two distinct objectives. Ludwig identifies it as potentially confusing due to its uncommon usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contended for both" signifies actively striving towards two distinct goals, often in a competitive setting. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that it's not the most common or natural phrasing, and can cause confusion. More common alternatives include "competed for both" or "vied for both". When using "contended for both", ensure the context clarifies the distinction between the two objectives. This phrase appears most frequently in news articles, encyclopedias and wiki pages, suggesting a formal and neutral register. Due to the limited examples and somewhat awkward phrasing, it's recommended to use it judiciously and consider more common alternatives for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competed for both

Replaces "contended" with a more common synonym, maintaining the structure and meaning.

vied for both

Uses "vied", suggesting a strong rivalry, similar to contending.

strove for both

Replaces "contended" with "strove", emphasizing effort and determination.

aimed for both

Indicates a goal-oriented approach to achieving two targets.

sought after both

Suggests actively pursuing two different things.

pursued both

Focuses on the action of following or striving for multiple goals.

endeavored for both

Emphasizes making an effort to achieve both objectives.

battled for both

Conveys a sense of conflict or struggle in pursuing two things.

competed to achieve both

Rephrases to emphasize the act of competing to reach two distinct goals.

sought to win both

Highlights the desire to win or achieve two specific outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "contended for both" in a sentence?

You can use "contended for both" to indicate that someone or something competed or strived for two different goals or outcomes. For example, "The athlete "contended for both" the gold medal and the world record".

What are some alternatives to "contended for both"?

Some alternatives include "competed for both", "vied for both", or "strove for both". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, "vied" implies a more intense rivalry.

Is "contended for both" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "contended for both" is not the most common phrasing. It's understandable but can sound slightly awkward. Alternatives like "competed for both" might be more natural.

What's the difference between "contended for both" and "aimed for both"?

"Contended for both" suggests active competition or striving, while "aimed for both" simply indicates that two things were targeted or intended. "Aimed for both" does not have the connotation of active competition.