contesting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "contesting" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about two or more people or objects opposing or competing with each other. For example, "The candidates in the election are contesting for the vote of the people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I erred by not contesting the label "tax" for the fixed price period of the emissions trading scheme I introduced.

The Guardian

The rumourmongers claimed that she had fallen out with Labour failing in the selection process to become the party's candidate to fight Galloway in Bradford West, and that she was going to get her revenge by contesting Bradford East for Galloway's lot.

The Guardian

Barclays, which is contesting the allegations, cites a "formal warning" notice from the FCA which has warned the bank that it "acted recklessly" in the way it disclosed the information about the fees and in so doing breached some of the rules governing the way shares are listed on the stock exchange.

The Guardian - Business

Other teenage hopefuls running for office around the country on 7 May include Taylor Muir, 19, the Conservative candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, and Michael Burrows, standing for Ukip in Inverclyde, 18, and Declan Lloyd, who is contesting South East Cornwall for Labour.

The Guardian

The seat the Ukip leader is contesting, Thanet South, is about an hour further south into Kent from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, and Vincent, who recently tattooed the word "Kent" on his hand, argues that the party is benefiting from the area's hidden poverty.

The Guardian - Music

Now that Labour's national executive has postponed a decision on how to pick our candidate for Mayor of London, the party finally has a chance to dig itself out of a hole over the issue - and put an end to the widespread suspicion that the rules are going to be rigged to prevent me contesting the Labour nomination.

The Guardian

After contesting strongly and even taking the council to court over their decision, plans went ahead and all but two libraries on the IOW are set to close in April this year, leaving Lord Louis and Ryde libraries remaining.

The Guardian - Books

If the ruling AK party loses power, there will be no peace process left Yalçin Akdoğan, deputy prime minister Karapinar is thinking about voting for the HDP, which is contesting its first election.

The Guardian

He was released on the corruption charges in 2004, but the sentence barred him from contesting office until April 2008.

The Guardian

But SDLP said that they were not contesting the South Down count at that point, merely seeking legal advice about a possible recount.

The Guardian

Every time a lawsuit is brought contesting the legality of intercepting Americans' communications without warrants, the Obama DOJ raises claims of secrecy, standing and immunity to prevent any such determination from being made.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or formal disputes, use "contesting" to convey a sense of formal opposition and challenge. For example, "The company is contesting the allegations in court."

Common error

Avoid using "contesting" in casual conversations where simpler terms like "disagreeing" or "questioning" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal vocabulary can make your writing sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The word "contesting" primarily functions as a present participle or gerund form of the verb "contest". It's used to describe an ongoing action of disputing or challenging something, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "contesting" functions as a present participle or gerund form, typically employed to convey disagreement or opposition, often within formal or legal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, highlighting its frequent use in news and business writing. While "contesting" is appropriate for formal disputes and challenges, simpler alternatives might be preferred in casual settings. Overall, "contesting" effectively communicates the act of disputing or challenging something in a structured manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging

Focuses more on the act of questioning or disputing something's validity or correctness.

disputing

Highlights disagreement or questioning the truth or validity of something.

opposing

Emphasizes being against something, often in a formal or structured manner.

questioning

Implies inquiry and doubt, but not necessarily direct opposition.

competing

Highlights rivalry or striving against others, particularly in a structured setting.

vying

Suggests intense rivalry or competition for something.

combating

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

resisting

Implies an effort to withstand or oppose something, often a change or force.

objecting

Highlights expressing disapproval or opposition to something.

confronting

Suggests facing a challenge or opposition directly and often aggressively.

FAQs

How can I use "contesting" in a sentence?

"Contesting" is used to describe the action of disputing or challenging something, often in a formal or competitive context. For example, "The candidate is contesting the election results" or "The company is contesting the fine levied against it".

What can I say instead of "contesting"?

Alternatives to "contesting" include "challenging", "disputing", "opposing", or "questioning", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "contesting" versus "challenging"?

"Contesting" often implies a more formal or legal challenge, such as contesting an election or a will. "Challenging" can be used more broadly to question or dispute something, not necessarily in a formal setting. For example, you might challenge someone's statement but contest a legal decision.

Is "contesting" the same as "competing"?

While "contesting" and "competing" both involve opposition, they have distinct meanings. "Contesting" focuses on disputing or challenging something, whereas "competing" refers to striving against others to win something. You might contest a claim while "competing" in a race.