foster rivalry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foster rivalry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of encouraging competition or conflict between individuals or groups. Example: "The new policy was designed to foster rivalry among the teams, pushing them to perform better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And attempts to foster rivalry – the whipped-up scandal that ensued when Iain Watters threw his baked alaska into the bin – have always met with limited success; the competitors can't seem to help themselves nipping over to someone else's bench to offer advice and moral support when the sugar hit the fan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Foster foster foster!

Vice

Born in 1559, he was called to leadership in his early 20s, after his father and grandfather had been killed in battle with rivals, supported in this case by China's Ming dynasty, which fostered rivalries among tribes on its borders as a way to make them less dangerous.

Britannica

Individual merit pay, she has asserted, would foster destructive rivalry within a school.

The New York Times

Brash and skilled beyond her years, she helped foster the rivalry the past week.

The New York Times - Sports

This year's fundraiser, themed "Think Bigger," includes competitions that foster friendly rivalry between Berkeley schools and departments based on most money raised as well as highest participation rates.

University of California, Berkeley

2) Foster healthy rivalry among global R&D teams: CEOs may find it difficult to persuade R&D teams in the US and Europe — used to abundant resources and pushing the technology frontier for its own sake — to embrace frugal innovation.

Harvard Business Review

Why do some parents foster sibling rivalry?

Huffington Post

Why foster competition?

Forbes

Flavoring the competition with animosity fosters a rivalry, too, and that happened in the ninth inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of fostering this rivalry, we should pursue policies that create more meaningful employment for all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foster rivalry", consider the ethical implications. Ensure that the rivalry remains healthy and doesn't lead to unethical behavior or harm.

Common error

Be careful not to "foster rivalry" to the point where it becomes destructive or undermines teamwork and collaboration. A healthy rivalry should enhance performance, not damage relationships or create a hostile environment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster rivalry" functions as a verb phrase where "foster" (verb) acts upon "rivalry" (noun). It describes the act of encouraging or promoting a competitive relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foster rivalry" is grammatically correct and used to describe the act of encouraging competition between entities. Ludwig AI indicates its proper usage in English writing. While relatively infrequent, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. It's essential to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the rivalry remains constructive. Alternatives include "promote competition" or "encourage rivalry", offering slight variations in emphasis. When considering this phrase, it's important to remember that healthy competition should enhance performance without causing discord.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encourage competition

Replaces "foster" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the competitive aspect.

Promote rivalry

Uses "promote" as a synonym for "foster", emphasizing the act of advancing the rivalry.

Incite competition

Suggests a more active and perhaps aggressive encouragement of competition.

Stimulate rivalry

Focuses on sparking or activating existing competitive feelings.

Cultivate competition

Implies a more nurturing and gradual development of competition.

Fuel competition

Conveys the idea of adding energy or intensity to the competitive environment.

Encourage antagonism

Shifts focus to the adversarial aspect of the relationship.

Promote contention

Highlights the aspect of dispute and disagreement.

Instigate conflict

Emphasizes initiating or provoking open conflict.

Provoke antagonism

Suggests deliberately causing hostile feelings or actions.

FAQs

How can I use "foster rivalry" in a sentence?

You can use "foster rivalry" to describe actions that encourage competition between individuals or groups. For example: "The company implemented a new bonus structure to "encourage competition" and "foster rivalry" among its sales teams."

What are some alternatives to "foster rivalry"?

Alternatives to "foster rivalry" include "promote rivalry", "encourage competition", or "stimulate competition". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive to "foster rivalry"?

Not necessarily. While a healthy rivalry can improve performance, an excessive or poorly managed rivalry can lead to negative consequences such as decreased morale and unethical behavior. It's important to "cultivate competition" responsibly.

What's the difference between "foster rivalry" and "incite conflict"?

"Foster rivalry" suggests encouraging competition, while "incite conflict" implies provoking or instigating a more serious and potentially harmful disagreement. "Incite conflict" carries a stronger negative connotation.