heavily contested

USAGE SUMMARY

"heavily contested" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation in which multiple people or entities are fighting for something, such as an election or a sports match. For example: "The mayoral election was heavily contested, with both candidates receiving a substantial amount of support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The race for governor remained heavily contested.

The New York Times

This is heavily contested territory, as both the setting and the style of the debate reflected.

The New Yorker

He won a heavily contested primary and then defeated his Democratic opponent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alyona, 24, is from Debaltseve, a heavily contested city on the frontline of the Ukrainian conflict.

Independent

The area where the hit occurred is near heavily contested ground.

The New York Times

Our situation is very different: we're densely populated and space on our roads is heavily contested.

The Guardian - Opinion

The region was heavily contested during the second civil war with Sudan, which began in 1983.

The Guardian

There's the human rights strand, which struggles if the rights space is heavily contested.

The Guardian

This area near the airport is being heavily contested by members of the standing Gaddafi army, it is not mercenaries.

The New York Times

But it was the heavily contested 15th Amendment that ruptured the awkward alliance between abolitionism and women's rights.

The New York Times

But Kandahar and Helmand Provinces, the Taliban base and main focus of the 2010 surge, remain heavily contested.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heavily contested", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being contested and the nature of the competition or disagreement. For example, specify whether it's a "heavily contested election", a "heavily contested territory", or a "heavily contested idea".

Common error

Avoid using "heavily contested" for situations involving minor disagreements or weak opposition. This phrase implies a significant level of conflict or competition, and its misuse can overstate the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavily contested" typically functions as an adjective modifying a noun, describing something that is subject to significant dispute or competition. Ludwig examples show its use with nouns like 'election', 'territory', or 'ground'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heavily contested" is a phrase used to describe situations with significant dispute or competition. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves substantial disagreement, and consider alternatives like "fiercely disputed" or "closely fought" for nuanced expression. The phrase is suitable for neutral and informative writing, conveying an active struggle or debate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fiercely disputed

Emphasizes the intensity and passion involved in the disagreement.

closely fought

Highlights the tight competition and minimal difference between contenders.

keenly debated

Focuses on the intellectual aspect of the contention, suggesting a focus on arguments and ideas.

highly competitive

Stresses the rivalry and the drive to win among participants.

vigorously challenged

Highlights the active resistance and opposition faced by something.

hotly debated

Emphasizes the emotional intensity and potential controversy surrounding the discussion.

seriously challenged

Implies a profound challenge that has considerable weight.

intensely argued

Highlights a strong difference of opinion and assertive exchange of ideas.

contentious

Describes the subject or situation as inherently prone to causing disagreement.

disputed

A more general term indicating disagreement, lacking the intensity of "heavily contested".

FAQs

How can I use "heavily contested" in a sentence?

You can use "heavily contested" to describe elections, territories, ideas, or any situation where there is significant dispute or competition. For instance: "The election was "heavily contested"", or "The territory remains "heavily contested"".

What are some alternatives to saying "heavily contested"?

Alternatives include "fiercely disputed", "closely fought", or "keenly debated", depending on the context.

Is "heavily contested" the same as "highly competitive"?

While similar, "heavily contested" emphasizes the active disagreement or struggle, whereas "highly competitive" focuses on the rivalry and drive to win. Use "heavily contested" when highlighting the dispute itself, and "highly competitive" when focusing on the competition.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "heavily contested"?

Avoid using "heavily contested" in situations where the disagreement is minor or the competition is not particularly intense. The phrase implies a significant level of conflict or opposition, so it would be an overstatement in less serious contexts.