contest about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contest about" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the subject or topic of a contest or competition. Example: The annual spelling bee is a highly anticipated contest about spelling and vocabulary.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

On so many levels, this is a contest about life.

The New York Times - Sports

The contest about funding involves plenty of smoke and mirrors.

The Guardian - Opinion

It becomes a contest about who can exert the most muscle on Google".

The New Yorker

It is a real contest about the best path to national prosperity.

The Guardian

Mr Smith has instead sought to make the contest about effectiveness and electability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fear of making the first mistake rendered the contest about as adventurous as life in a monastery.

The New York Times - Sports

What began as a contest about municipal issues turned into a familiar battle focused on race, ethnicity and ideological divides.

The New York Times

We might as well have challenged women to a contest about which of us has more Y chromosomes.

The Guardian - Opinion

More recently, that argument has been replaced by a more mature contest about larger uncertainties and calculations.

The Guardian - Opinion

The two men have a childish contest about who has the sharpest sword, which isn't even subtle in its symbolism.

The Guardian - Film

Even before Fifa's brief rebranding, this was a contest about more than just performances on the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contest about" to clearly define the subject matter or theme of a competition or debate. This helps to immediately establish the context and purpose of the contest for the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "contest about" when a more specific preposition like "over" or "regarding" would provide greater clarity. For instance, instead of "a contest about resources", consider "a contest over resources" to emphasize the conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contest about" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun to specify the subject or topic of a competition or dispute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Opinion

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Sports

2%

Books

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contest about" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the theme or subject of a competition, debate, or dispute. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media. While broadly applicable, it's important to consider whether more specific prepositions like "over" or "regarding" might provide greater clarity. Alternatives such as "competition regarding" or "dispute over" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the situation. In essence, "contest about" serves as a foundational phrase for establishing the core subject matter at hand, offering a clear and concise way to frame the discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competition regarding

Replaces "contest" with "competition" and "about" with "regarding", indicating a formal competitive event.

dispute over

Substitutes "contest" with "dispute" and "about" with "over", highlighting a disagreement or argument.

debate regarding

Changes "contest" to "debate" and "about" to "regarding", emphasizing a formal discussion.

argument concerning

Replaces "contest" with "argument" and "about" with "concerning", focusing on a debate or quarrel.

competition centering on

Replaces "contest" with "competition" and "about" with "centering on", focusing on what the competition's core subject is.

struggle concerning

Replaces "contest" with "struggle" and "about" with "concerning", highlighting the effort and challenges involved.

the primary focus of

Similar to the above, but emphasizes the main concentration or aim.

the central issue of

Replaces the whole phrase with a description of what is at stake, focusing on the main point.

the main point of contention in

Expresses the core disagreement within the competition, highlighting the conflicting element.

the heart of the matter in

Replaces the entire phrase to signify the essence of the subject within the contest.

FAQs

How can I use "contest about" in a sentence?

Use "contest about" to specify the subject or theme of a competition or debate. For example, "The election became a "contest about" the economy".

What are some alternatives to "contest about"?

Alternatives include "competition regarding", "dispute over", or "argument concerning", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "contest about" and "contest over"?

"Contest about" generally refers to the topic, while "contest over" implies a struggle or dispute for something. For example, "a contest about ideas" versus "a contest over resources".

When is it more appropriate to use "competition about" instead of "contest about"?

"Competition about" is suitable when emphasizing the formal, structured nature of the event, while ""contest about"" is a more general term that can apply to less formal situations.