contest with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contest with" is correct.
It is most commonly used when two or more people or entities are competing with each other on something. For example, you could say: "She will be contesting with the other candidates for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I contest with my photo".

The New York Times

This paper studies an economic contest with identical prizes.

Journal of the Japanese and International Economies

It was a contest with several chapters.

The New Yorker

The contest with Swann was equally interesting.

The Guardian - Sport

The contest with drug smugglers continues.

The New York Times

The contest with Mitt Romney is over, but the contest with China is only gathering steam.

The New York Times

"I don't have any individual contest with Fergie.

Independent

So it is holding an online contest with cash awards.

The New York Times

Brown & Williamson is also sponsoring a contest with the "L.S.M.F.T".

The New York Times

Malone went into the contest with a 24.6 average.

The New York Times - Sports

Maggs won his contest with Gramkow, 878 to 331.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contest with", ensure the context clearly indicates competition or opposition. Consider alternatives like "compete against" or "vie for" to fine-tune the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "contest with" when the intended meaning is merely 'to discuss' or 'to question'. Opt for more precise verbs like "discuss" or "question" to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contest with" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a relationship of competition or opposition between two or more entities. Ludwig confirms its usage across various contexts, demonstrating its grammatical correctness and semantic clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contest with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote competition or opposition. As verified by Ludwig, its correctness is consistently maintained across diverse contexts. With a high source quality score of 84 and an expert rating of 4.5, its usage is both reliable and authoritative. The phrase appears most commonly in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" settings. For precision, writers should be mindful of the specific nuance they wish to convey, considering alternatives such as "compete against" or "vie for". Avoiding its use in place of simpler verbs like "discuss" ensures clarity and prevents potential misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compete with

Indicates a direct rivalry, but can also imply collaboration in some contexts.

compete against

Focuses specifically on the act of competing, highlighting a direct rivalry.

contend with

Implies dealing with difficulties or challenges, often in a competitive setting.

vie for

Emphasizes striving to achieve something, often in a competitive environment.

battle against

Highlights a struggle or fight against something, emphasizing opposition.

fight against

Stresses active resistance or opposition.

challenge

Suggests questioning or disputing something, rather than direct competition.

lock horns with

Implies a direct and confrontational conflict.

grapple with

Focuses on struggling or trying to overcome a problem or difficulty.

wrestle with

Emphasizes a difficult struggle or decision-making process.

FAQs

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

You can use "contest with" to describe a situation where someone is competing or challenging someone else, such as "The athlete will "compete with" seasoned veterans in the upcoming tournament."

What's a good substitute for "contest with"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "contest with" include phrases like "compete against", "vie for", or "challenge".

Is it ever incorrect to use "contest with"?

While grammatically correct, "contest with" may not always be the most precise choice. For instance, if you simply mean 'discuss', using "contest with" would be inappropriate. Consider whether a more direct verb like "discuss" or "question" might be clearer.

What is the difference between "contest with" and "compete with"?

"Contest with" typically implies a more formal or structured competition, whereas ""compete with"" can be used in broader contexts. For example, businesses might "compete with" each other in the marketplace, but countries might "contest with" each other over trade agreements.