contending

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "contending" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing competition, disagreement, or asserting a position in an argument or debate. Example: "The two teams are contending for the championship title this season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For a start, there's the small matter of Edgar Wyndham and the new vampire uprising to be contending with.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He adds that although he has his own frustrations with the BBC, he describes it as an organisation too precious to lose, contending "it has invested in fairness, seeks balance even when it is impossible to achieve, listens to and absorbs pressure from every political party".

The Guardian

Austin described the battle for Kobani – which US officials have downplayed as peripheral to the anti-Isis strategy – as a target of opportunity, despite contending that Isis seeks to have the US divert its attention to marginal fights.

The Guardian

Taking part in endless hustings, contending with the press and spending hours canvassing door to door is not the ideal extra curricular activity for most teenagers.

The Guardian

At another election, he called upon them to think no more of party, which was but a miserable bone of contention thrown amongst them to distract their attention, whilst somebody else was running away with all that was worth contending for.

The Economist

In tandem, these punishments will prevent PSU from contending for a national football championship until the 2020s.

The Economist

It is contending with the aftermath of earthquakes, a volcanic eruption and a tsunami all in the last seven weeks.

The Economist

Mr Mehdorn seems likely to end up contending with institutional investors and hedge funds that want to shake things up.

The Economist

Last February the two legislators wrote to the NRC, contending that certain safety modifications for San Onofre's new steam generators had been rejected because (according to the leaked Mitsubishi reports) they would have triggered a lengthy licence-amendment process.

The Economist

None of the parties contending for power has proved it can provide that.

The Economist

The net result will be difficult to uncover among all the other factors contending for influence.Also, "capital flows" is a broad term.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contending" to describe situations where there is active competition or disagreement. For example, "The companies are contending for market share."

Common error

Avoid using "contending" when simpler words like "competing" or "vying" would suffice. "Contending" often implies a more significant level of conflict or effort.

Linguistic Context

The word "contending" primarily functions as a verb in its present participle form, often used to describe an ongoing state of competition, argument, or struggle. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Unknown

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contending" functions primarily as a verb (present participle), indicating active competition or disagreement. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "competing" or "arguing" exist, "contending" often implies a more intense or significant level of conflict. It's essential to use "contending" where its nuance is most appropriate, avoiding overuse in simple scenarios. As such, understanding its register and application is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competing

Shares the aspect of rivalry and striving against others.

arguing

Emphasizes the aspect of verbal disagreement and debate.

battling

Suggests a more intense and aggressive form of competition or conflict.

grappling

Highlights struggling to deal with a difficult situation.

struggling

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in dealing with a problem or opponent.

asserting

Highlights the act of stating a claim or belief confidently.

maintaining

Focuses on upholding or defending a position.

debating

Indicates a formal discussion with opposing arguments.

challenging

Focuses on questioning or disputing something.

combating

Implies active measures to fight against something.

FAQs

How can I use "contending" in a sentence?

You can use "contending" to describe entities that are in competition or disagreement, such as "The two teams are "contending" for the championship" or "The lawyers are "contending" over the inheritance".

What are some alternatives to the word "contending"?

Some alternatives to "contending" include "competing", "arguing", "battling", and "struggling", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "contending for" or "contending against"?

Both "contending for" and "contending against" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Contending for" implies competing to obtain something, while "contending against" means struggling or fighting against an opponent or obstacle.

What's the difference between "contending" and "competing"?

"Contending" often implies a stronger sense of conflict or effort than ""competing"". While both refer to rivalry, "contending" suggests a more serious or challenging situation.