harsh competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harsh competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is intense rivalry among businesses or individuals in a particular market or field. Example: "In the tech industry, startups often face harsh competition from established companies with more resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

To safeguard their existence in the face of harsh competition, food retailers have shifting their attention from goods to service.

Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services

To be sure, Chrysler's stunning fall stems largely from unusually harsh competition in the American market and from fumbles by Chrysler's American executives.

The New York Times

Modern tendencies of the development of aerospace technologies, harsh competition in the market of space services and expansion of international cooperation for implementation of space projects, demand sharp increase of the scientific/technical level and competitiveness of the developed projects.

Acta Astronautica

The TV industry "is heading towards harsh competition in terms of marketing and prices," Sony's chief financial officer, Masaru Kato, said at a briefing in Tokyo, according to Bloomberg News.

The New York Times - Tech

Indeed, it appears at the novel's close as if Jamie's harsh competition with Rob in matters of winning and women has been in part an expression of his repressed desire for him.

The Guardian - Books

"On the one hand, we must provide service to remote regional areas at our own cost, and on the other hand, we are exposed to harsh competition in the more lucrative urban areas," Mr. Koide said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Mortgage margins have been hit by harsher competition in the sector and general uncertainty in the property market over Brexit, it said.

The Guardian - Business

Moreover, it has steeled the savvy Chinese companies for harsher competition in their home market; they aim to keep growing by moving onto the competition's turf.

Forbes

To the extent that Avengers: Endgame will thrive over the long haul due to kids, Pikachu is harsher competition than Wade Wilson.

Forbes

It later evolved to become a more traditional VC. (note: our initial article mentioned them as pioneers of the "copy-to-China" company-builder model with "mixed results due to harsh local competition". Sinovation Ventures reached out to clarify that only a couple of companies might have applied this model, and that their initial "incubator" investments returned 9x in 2 years).

TechCrunch

Harsh contention.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competitive landscape, use "harsh competition" to convey the intensity and potential difficulties faced by participants. It's particularly effective when the competition involves significant risks or challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "harsh competition" when describing situations with only moderate rivalry. Reserve this phrase for scenarios where the competitive pressure is genuinely severe and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "harsh competition" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "harsh" modifies the noun "competition". It indicates a severe or intense level of rivalry. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harsh competition" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to depict situations marked by intense rivalry and substantial challenges. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It finds common usage across news, scientific, and business domains, making it a versatile term. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely reflects a severe level of competition, avoiding its overuse in milder scenarios. Alternatives such as "fierce competition" or "intense rivalry" can be used to achieve a similar effect, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense rivalry

Focuses on the antagonistic nature of the competition.

fierce competition

Emphasizes the aggressive and unrelenting nature of the competition.

intense competition

Emphasizes the high degree of activity and engagement in the competitive environment.

cutthroat competition

Highlights the ruthless and potentially unethical aspects of the competition.

severe competition

Highlights the gravity and potential consequences of the competition.

brutal competition

Conveys a sense of harshness and potential for damage.

stiff competition

Indicates a high level of difficulty in succeeding due to the competition.

tough competition

Similar to stiff competition, but with a slightly broader connotation.

extreme competition

Emphasizes the competition is beyond normal or expected levels.

relentless competition

Highlights the persistent and unyielding nature of the competitive pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "harsh competition" in a sentence?

You can use "harsh competition" to describe intense rivalry in business, sports, or academics. For example, "Startups often face "harsh competition" from established companies".

What are some alternatives to "harsh competition"?

Alternatives include "fierce competition", "intense rivalry", or "cutthroat competition", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "harsh competition" instead of "tough competition"?

"Harsh competition" is more appropriate when the competition involves significant risks, challenges, or potential negative consequences, while "tough competition" is a more general term for difficult rivalry.

What are the implications of facing "harsh competition" in a particular market?

Facing "harsh competition" often requires businesses to innovate, improve efficiency, and differentiate themselves to survive and thrive. It can also lead to increased stress and pressure on employees.