contending for

USAGE SUMMARY

"contending for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically means arguing or competing for something. Here are a few examples: 1. The two candidates were contending for the title of class president. 2. The protesters were contending for their right to free speech. 3. In the courtroom, the lawyers were contending for their respective clients' innocence. 4. The siblings were contending for their parents' attention. 5. The athletes were contending for the gold medal in the final race.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Contending for the title seems premature.

The New York Times - Sports

As for contending for that elusive championship?

The New York Times

The Indians were contending for the first time in decades.

The New York Times

Louisville was among seven cities contending for the expansion.

The New York Times

The Bears are contending for nothing but improvement.

The New York Times - Sports

American companies are now contending for a share.

The New York Times

In September of the first year, he and Mickey Mantle were contending for the batting championship.

The New Yorker

"All is Lost" is one of four already contending for the Oscars in March.

The Economist

But American producers collectively remain a long way from contending for green car leadership.

The New York Times

His current team, ranked No. 1, is well on its way to contending for another title.

The New York Times - Sports

Philo was 15 years old, just halfway to contending for breeding rights.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contending for" to clearly convey the sense of active competition or striving towards a specific goal, particularly when multiple parties are involved.

Common error

Avoid using "contending for" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, alternatives like "competing for" or "striving for" might lend a more sophisticated tone depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

Contending for acts as a verb phrase typically functioning as part of a predicate, describing the action of competing or striving to achieve something. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contending for" is a versatile phrase used to describe competition or striving towards a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. This phrase is commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the specific context and choose the most appropriate alternative if a more formal or nuanced tone is desired. The phrase is valuable in conveying the active struggle involved in pursuing a goal, making it a useful addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competing for

Emphasizes the act of competition, often in a structured setting.

challenging for

Suggests a position where one is in contention to win a particular goal.

vying for

Suggests a more intense and often public competition.

battling for

Highlights the struggle and effort involved in the competition.

in the running for

An idiomatic expression that means still having a chance of obtaining something.

striving for

Focuses on the effort and ambition in pursuing a goal, not necessarily against others.

making a bid for

Suggests a formal or declared attempt to win something.

pursuing

A broader term indicating the act of seeking something, with less emphasis on direct competition.

seeking

Similar to 'pursuing' but can imply a more passive approach.

aiming for

Implies setting a specific target or objective.

FAQs

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

You can use "contending for" to describe a situation where individuals or groups are competing for something, like "The athletes are contending for the gold medal" or "Several companies are contending for the government contract".

What's a good substitute for "contending for"?

Alternatives to "contending for" include phrases like "competing for", "vying for", or "striving for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "contending for" more formal than "competing for"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "contending for" can sometimes carry a slightly more intense or formal connotation than "competing for", depending on the context.

When is it best to use "contending for" over other similar phrases?

"Contending for" is best used when you want to emphasize the active struggle and effort involved in trying to win or obtain something, especially when there are multiple parties involved.