contending with

USAGE SUMMARY

"contending with" is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
It is used when someone is actively engaging in opposition or competition with someone or something. For example: After contending with her nerves, she went on stage to perform.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Contending with Words: Composition and Rhetoric in a Postmodern Age.

Yale University

Most seriously, they are still contending with Picard.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been contending with competition from Japan.

The New Yorker

Condé was also contending with an unstable capital.

The New Yorker

Halliburton, meanwhile, is contending with two new scandals.

The New Yorker

Here are the key issues that each is contending with.

The New York Times

She and her family were contending with more pressing problems.

The Washington Post

That meant contending with all the belongings in it.

The Washington Post

His attempt to combine contending with rebuilding was not working.

The New York Times - Sports

There's pleasure, too, in contending with her, or amplifying her.

The New Yorker

Her demeanor betrays nothing of the verdict we're contending with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contending with", ensure that the subject is actively engaged in an effort to overcome or manage a specific challenge or opposition. The phrase implies a degree of difficulty or struggle.

Common error

Avoid using "contending with" when a simpler verb like "dealing with" or "handling" would suffice. The phrase should be reserved for situations involving actual conflict, difficulty, or serious opposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contending with" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase that includes an auxiliary verb (e.g., "is contending with", "was contending with"). It indicates an ongoing or habitual action of dealing with a challenge. The Ludwig AI, corroborates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contending with" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations where individuals or entities are actively facing and managing challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is commonly found in news and academic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a scenario involving actual difficulty or opposition, rather than a simple action. Alternatives like "dealing with" or "grappling with" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember that the phrase is appropriate across multiple contexts and is suitable for formal, neutral, and even less formal environments, depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dealing with

Emphasizes the act of managing or handling a situation or problem.

grappling with

Suggests a more intense struggle or effort to overcome something.

facing

Implies confronting a challenge or situation directly.

battling

Highlights a combative effort against an opposing force or difficulty.

struggling with

Indicates difficulty and effort in trying to overcome something.

tackling

Suggests addressing a problem or task with a proactive approach.

combating

Focuses on actively fighting against something, often a problem or threat.

wrestling with

Implies a close and difficult engagement with an issue or problem.

coping with

Highlights the act of managing or enduring a difficult situation.

withstanding

Focuses on enduring or resisting something, often a challenge or hardship.

FAQs

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

Use "contending with" to describe someone or something facing significant challenges or opposition. For instance, "The company is "contending with" increased competition from overseas markets".

What are some alternatives to "contending with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "dealing with", "grappling with", or "facing".

Is it appropriate to use "contending with" in formal writing?

Yes, "contending with" is suitable for formal writing. It is often used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports to describe challenges and struggles.

What's the difference between "contending with" and "coping with"?

"Contending with" implies active engagement and struggle against something, while "coping with" suggests managing or enduring a difficult situation, often without necessarily overcoming it.