have a contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a contest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to organizing or participating in a competition or challenge. Example: "We decided to have a contest to see who could bake the best cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Let's have a contest.

The Guardian

"Let's have a contest," he suggested.

The New York Times - Food

We have a contest!

The Guardian - Sport

"We'll have a contest," says Mr Herbert.

The Economist

So we're going to have a contest.

The New York Times

So far only a few of the 212 legislators even have a contest.

The New York Times

They often have a contest of who can spot me coming off the train first.

The New York Times

You have a contest with your sister, see who can sleep the latest, O.K.?

The New York Times - Magazine

"You want to have a contest eating hot soup with him?" asks a friend, Rico Bautista.

The New York Times

You have a contest only when some party believes that they've got a legitimate reason for it.

The New York Times

"If the Tories want to have a contest of ideas instead of a contest of advertising budgets, I am very confident we can win that".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the type of contest (e.g., "have a baking contest", "have a writing contest") to provide more immediate context.

Common error

Avoid using overly generic descriptions when announcing a contest. Instead of simply stating "we'll have a contest", provide specific details about the contest's theme, rules, and prizes to attract more participants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a contest" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of organizing, participating in, or engaging in a competition. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across diverse contexts, all consistently referring to competitive scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

28%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have a contest" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe organizing or participating in a competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase sees frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like ""organize a competition"" or ""hold a competition"" exist, "have a contest" maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communications. When using "have a contest", make sure to provide specific details about the competition to ensure clarity and attract participants.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

organize a competition

Focuses on the act of setting up a competitive event.

hold a competition

Emphasizes the act of hosting or presenting a competition.

stage a contest

Highlights the performance or presentation aspect of the competition.

launch a competition

Focuses on the initiation or starting of a competition.

run a competition

Implies managing and overseeing the entire competitive process.

initiate a competition

Highlights the beginning or starting point of the contest.

set up a challenge

Emphasizes the creation and arrangement of a task designed to test abilities.

arrange a competition

Focuses on the planning and organization aspects of the competition.

establish a competition

Highlights the act of formally creating or instituting a competition.

put on a contest

Informal way to say to organize or present a contest.

FAQs

How can I use "have a contest" in a sentence?

You can use "have a contest" to describe the act of organizing or participating in a competition. For example, "The company decided to "organize a competition" to boost employee morale" or "Let's "hold a competition" to see who can solve the puzzle the fastest."

What's the difference between "have a contest" and "hold a contest"?

While both phrases are very similar, "have a contest" is a more general way to say that a competition will occur. "Hold a contest", like "stage a contest", emphasizes the act of hosting or presenting the contest.

What can I say instead of "have a contest"?

Alternatives include ""organize a competition"", "launch a competition", or "run a competition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have a competition" instead of "have a contest"?

Yes, ""organize a competition"" is a perfectly acceptable substitute. The terms "contest" and "competition" are often used interchangeably, although "competition" might be perceived as slightly more formal.