contests

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'contests' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the word 'contests' to refer to competitions or challenges in which people compete against each other in order to win a prize. For example: "The school will be holding three different contests for the students this month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Political contests are, almost invariably, to be preferred to political coronations.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Mr Summers still isn't winning any personality contests," the Wall Street Journal wryly noted, as Summers fortunes rose.

The Guardian - Opinion

But a tweet by Murdoch contests the claim, claiming the paper has made a "weird leap" and there has been a "misunderstanding somewhere".

The Guardian

These thefts, and the frequent contests which they produce, have for some time furnished a constant fund of amusement to the bystanders.

The Guardian

From an early stage, the Bulldogs dominated the contests but were not as clinical as the Eagles in front of goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Lawyers acting for murder defendants do not expect to win many popularity contests, but nor, until recently, have they expected to be the subject of personal attacks by the press.

The Guardian

Conservative support has surged in council contests on the back of the party's general election triumph.

The Guardian

Perhaps policy contests could be held in the open rather than behind closed doors.

The Guardian

To the extent policy contests have leaked out from back rooms, they are inevitably reported through the prism of division.

The Guardian

Shorten contests that the 2014 federal budget did not fail because it was "too exciting, too visionary or too bold", but rather that major policy objectives stalled in the Senate because they were "fundamentally unfair".

The Guardian

Ruth Fox, director of the Hansard Society, told the Guardian last week that turnout looked set to echo that of 2010, despite hopes that close contests in many constituencies might have encouraged more votes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contests", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of competition being referenced. For example, specify whether they are political, sporting, or creative "contests".

Common error

Avoid using "contests" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise term like "competitions", "trials", or "assessments" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "contests" primarily functions as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of competition. As noted by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and suitable for written English. It designates organized events where individuals or teams compete for a prize or recognition, as showcased in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "contests" is a grammatically correct and very common plural noun used to denote various forms of competition. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for written English and effectively conveys the idea of events where individuals or teams compete for a reward. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "contests" serves to inform and describe competitive scenarios. While "competitions" can be used as a more formal synonym, "contests" maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts. Remember to clearly specify the type of "contests" you are referring to for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competitions

Synonymous replacement, offering a general term for organized events where participants vie for a prize or honor.

championships

Refers to high-level contests to determine the best performer, team, or individual in a specific field.

tournaments

Implies a structured series of contests, often with elimination rounds, leading to an overall winner.

rivalries

Focuses on the ongoing competitive relationship between entities, emphasizing the adversarial aspect.

matches

Highlights individual face-offs or games within a broader competition or league.

derbies

Specifies a contest between local rivals, emphasizing geographical proximity and heightened stakes.

elections

Replaces a generic form of competition and implies structured competition involving public votes and political candidates.

trials

Emphasizes tests or experiments designed to assess performance or suitability for a specific purpose.

challenges

Broadly refers to situations presenting difficulty and requiring effort to overcome, not always competitive.

clashes

Focuses on direct confrontations or conflicts, suggesting a more intense and immediate form of competition.

FAQs

How can I use "contests" in a sentence?

"Contests" is used to refer to activities in which people compete for a prize. For example, "The school holds various creative "writing competitions" annually."

What words can I use instead of "contests"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "competitions", "tournaments", or "challenges".

Is it better to use "contests" or "competitions"?

Both "contests" and "competitions" are generally interchangeable, but "competitions" might sound more formal in some contexts. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "contests" and "rivalries"?

"Contests" refer to specific events of competition, while "rivalries" denote ongoing competitive relationships between individuals or groups.