he was contending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was contending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is engaged in a struggle, competition, or argument, often to assert a point or position. Example: "In the debate, he was contending that climate change is the most pressing issue of our time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Those visits were mostly happy ones, although he confided to his mother that he was contending with "mental barnacles".

The New Yorker

"As a disabled person your heart went out to David Cameron; he was contending with his son's difficulties.

The Guardian

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet Those visits were mostly happy ones, although he confided to his mother that he was contending with "mental barnacles".

The New Yorker

He talked about the variables he was contending with in terms of "big obstacles" and "big machines that can do things".

The New Yorker

video: Dick Conant on the upper Mississippi in 2009.Courtesy Neal Moore Those visits were mostly happy ones, although he confided to his mother that he was contending with "mental barnacles".

The New Yorker

No sooner had he presided over the close passage of a new austerity bill last week, than he was contending with the growing controversy over how much money private banks would contribute by taking on more Greek debt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Again, it is hard to know with whom he is contending.

The New York Times - Books

Now that he is contending for another championship, Force wants to do it as fast as possible.

The New York Times - Sports

"He is contending to become an emperor in a new era".

The New York Times

"His detractors would say that he feels he is someone who must reveal the truth, as opposed to being ironic, and he's contending here with these forces".

The New Yorker

Besides being labeled a disloyal Democrat by Mr. Silver, he is contending with a lack of public support from likeminded compatriots.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was contending" to describe someone actively dealing with challenges or arguments, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "he was contending" in casual conversation; simpler alternatives like "he was arguing" or "he was dealing with" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was contending" functions as part of a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating an action of arguing, asserting, or grappling with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Examples show it used to describe a person's actions in debates or challenging situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was contending" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, particularly within news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it can be used to describe someone arguing or dealing with a situation, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings. It carries a formal tone and is used to convey the act of asserting a point or actively grappling with an issue, as seen in various examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he competed

States directly that he was in competition.

he struggled

Focuses on the difficulty of the challenge.

he battled

Conveys a sense of conflict or opposition.

he faced

Highlights the confrontation with a particular issue.

he opposed

Highlights resistance or disagreement.

he dealt with

Emphasizes the process of managing a difficult situation.

he grappled with

Suggests a more intense and prolonged struggle.

he wrangled with

Suggests a complex and possibly frustrating struggle.

he combated

Indicates active resistance against something.

he vied

Implies competition for a goal or position.

FAQs

How can I use "he was contending" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe someone who is arguing for a particular point of view or dealing with a difficult situation. For example, "In the debate, "he was contending" that climate change is the most pressing issue".

What are some alternatives to "he was contending"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "he was arguing", "he was asserting", or "he was maintaining".

Is it appropriate to use "he was contending" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "he was contending" is more suited for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "he was saying" or "he was claiming" might be better choices.

What is the difference between "he was contending" and "he was arguing"?

"He was contending" implies a more formal and reasoned presentation of a viewpoint, while "he was arguing" can suggest a more heated or less structured debate.