in contention with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in contention with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when two people, groups, or entities are in direct competition with each other or trying to achieve the same goal. For example, "The two teams were in contention with each other for the championship title."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Country music is perpetually in contention with itself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Vijay Singh put himself in contention with another late rally.

The New York Times - Sports

Nine drivers had been in contention with three races remaining.

The New York Times - Sports

John Kaestner kept Maryland in contention with a score against a substitute goalie, Steve Soroka.

The New York Times

We play three games against teams that we're in contention with.

The New York Times - Sports

He put himself in contention with four birdies on his first five holes.

The New York Times - Sports

But I lived up to my expectations of putting myself in contention with a chance.

The Guardian - Sport

The South China Sea continues to be in contention, with six governments exerting claims on overlapping areas.

Stanford University

Long loyalty to and love of the party are in contention with loathing of what is happening to it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Periodically, state courts have had to deal with matters involving private concepts of health in contention with the public's health.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Webber is second with 238, Vettel has 231 and Hamilton remains mathematically in contention with 222 points.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in contention with" to clearly indicate a competitive or opposing relationship between two or more entities. For example, use it when describing companies competing for market share or teams vying for a championship.

Common error

Avoid using "in contention with" in very informal settings, as it can sound overly formal. Simpler phrases like "competing with" or "up against" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in contention with" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase. It connects a subject with another entity, indicating a state of competition, rivalry, or opposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in contention with" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote competition, rivalry, or opposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and academic writing. While generally neutral in register, it's best suited for situations where a clear articulation of a competitive relationship is needed. Remember to avoid using it in overly informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Similar phrases include "competing against", "vying for", and "in competition with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in competition with

A more formal and direct synonym, highlighting the state of competition.

contending against

Similar to competing against, but with a slightly more formal tone.

competing against

Focuses on the act of competing, highlighting a direct rivalry.

vying for

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in trying to win something.

rivaling

Highlights the existence of a rival or competitor.

battling for

Suggests a more intense and aggressive form of competition.

locked in a struggle with

Emphasizes the intensity and prolonged nature of the conflict.

challenging

Highlights the act of posing a challenge to someone or something.

opposing

Focuses on the act of being against something or someone.

at odds with

Implies a state of disagreement or conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "in contention with" in a sentence?

You can use "in contention with" to show that two or more entities are competing for the same thing. For example, "The two companies are "in contention with" each other for the government contract".

What phrases are similar to "in contention with"?

Alternatives include "competing against", "vying for", or "in competition with". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in contention for" instead of "in contention with"?

While "in contention for" is also a valid phrase, it has a slightly different meaning. "In contention for" usually means competing to win something, whereas "in contention with" highlights the direct competition between entities. For example: "The athlete is in contention for the gold medal" vs. "The two athletes are in contention with each other".

When is it best to use "in contention with" over other similar phrases?

Use "in contention with" when you want to emphasize the direct rivalry or opposition between two or more parties. It is particularly useful in formal or professional contexts where you need to clearly articulate the competitive relationship.