faces stiff competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "faces stiff competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone or something is competing against strong rivals or challenges in a particular field or market. Example: "The new smartphone model faces stiff competition from established brands that have loyal customer bases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, it faces stiff competition.

The Guardian - Business

As it is, eMusic faces stiff competition.

The New York Times - Tech

And Mr. Yuen faces stiff competition.

The New York Times

It now faces stiff competition from other wireless providers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Patroon faces stiff competition in a city full of steakhouses.

The New York Times - Food

Thompson's movie faces stiff competition from two rival projects.

The Guardian - Film

But outside of the US, Chicago faces stiff competition.

The Guardian

Twitter also faces stiff competition in the area of organizing tweets.

The New York Times

But it faces stiff competition in the video-game market, especially from Sony.

The Economist

Sony lost the Betamax battle.The PlayStation 3 also faces stiff competition.

The Economist

Uber also faces stiff competition from Ola in India and BlaBlaCar in Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, use "faces stiff competition" to objectively describe the challenges a theory or idea encounters within its field.

Common error

Avoid using "faces stiff competition" if the challenges are due to internal issues, not external rivals. Ensure that you are accurately portraying the source of the difficulties. Instead, clarify the origin of the impediment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faces stiff competition" primarily functions as a descriptor, indicating the competitive landscape an entity operates in. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, this phrase is often used in news and business contexts to objectively assess market challenges. The auxiliary verb "faces" works to show the entity in question experiences the competition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Tech

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "faces stiff competition" is a commonly used phrase, which, according to Ludwig AI, is suitable for describing situations where entities encounter significant rivalry. Primarily found in news and business contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional tone. Related phrases include alternatives such as "encounters strong opposition" and "is up against fierce rivals". The phrase highlights external challenges rather than internal shortcomings. This phrase is grammatically correct, making it an effective way to objectively describe competitive dynamics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encounters strong opposition

Replaces "competition" with "opposition", emphasizing resistance rather than rivalry.

is up against fierce rivals

Uses a more active construction, highlighting the intensity of the competition.

contends with formidable contenders

Employs more formal language, emphasizing the strength of the competitors.

grapples with significant challenges

Shifts the focus to the difficulties posed by the competitive environment.

is challenged by major players

Highlights the importance and influence of the competitors.

meets with intense rivalry

Focuses on the concept of rivalry and intensity of it.

operates in a highly competitive market

Reframes the phrase to describe the overall market environment.

navigates a challenging landscape

Uses a metaphor to describe the difficulties of the competitive situation.

battles against tough adversaries

Employs a more combative tone, emphasizing the struggle for dominance.

is in a cutthroat environment

Highlights the ruthlessness and intensity of the competition.

FAQs

What does it mean when a company "faces stiff competition"?

It means the company is competing against other strong and capable rivals in the same market or industry, making it challenging to gain market share or achieve its goals.

What can I say instead of "faces stiff competition"?

You can use alternatives like "encounters strong opposition", "is up against fierce rivals", or "contends with formidable contenders" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "faces stiff competition" or "faces intense competition"?

Both are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express. "Stiff" suggests a firm, unyielding challenge, while "intense" suggests a high degree of activity and pressure. It’s up to you and the context of the sentence.

How does "faces stiff competition" compare to "dominates the market"?

"Faces stiff competition" implies a challenging environment with strong rivals, while "dominates the market" suggests a position of leadership and control. They are opposite scenarios.