in order to compete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in order to compete" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining the purpose or goal of an action related to competition. Example: "The company invested in new technology in order to compete more effectively in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have to be different in order to compete.

The New York Times

Now, they must adapt in order to compete.

The New York Times - Sports

However political parties must be vetted in order to compete.

The Economist

Networks will disrupt themselves in order to compete.

Harvard Business Review

True, most Chinatown teams form casually, in order to compete in weekend tournaments at neighborhood parks.

The New York Times

Armstrong took illegal substances only in order to compete on the same track as everyone else.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They're going to have to discount even more than normal in order to compete".

The New York Times

Might the market demand that Google raise its prices in order to compete?

The New York Times

She felt that in order to compete she needed a bigger sound".

The New York Times

"In order to compete with her, the assistance from our leadership is going to be critical".

The New York Times

Australia needed all the luck that was going in order to compete.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in order to compete" to clearly state the purpose behind strategic decisions, innovations, or adaptations within a competitive context. For example, "The company invested in research and development in order to compete with larger industry players."

Common error

Avoid using "in order to compete" when a simpler "to compete" suffices. The added length can sometimes make the sentence sound verbose. Assess whether removing "in order" affects the sentence's clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order to compete" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It modifies a verb, clause, or sentence by expressing the reason or aim behind an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in order to compete" is a commonly used purpose connector that explains the reason behind an action, particularly in business, sports, and academic settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. While highly versatile, remember that it's important to assess if the slightly more concise "to compete" does not suffice, in order to avoid redundancy. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources, and less so in more casual contexts. When considering alternatives, "to remain competitive" or "to be competitive" can often serve as effective substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be competitive

Expresses the desired state of being able to compete effectively.

to remain competitive

Focuses on maintaining a competitive edge rather than the action taken to achieve it.

to keep up with the competition

Highlights the effort required to match the standards set by competitors.

for competitive purposes

Highlights the intention behind actions taken in a competitive environment.

to gain an advantage

Shifts the focus to acquiring a superior position relative to others.

to stay ahead

Emphasizes the need to maintain a leading position in a competitive field.

to vie for position

Focuses on the active struggle to achieve a better rank or status.

to contend with others

Emphasizes the act of struggling or dealing with rivals.

to be in the running

Suggests being a potential candidate or contender for success.

to seek parity

Highlights the objective of achieving equality or a similar level with competitors.

FAQs

How can I use "in order to compete" in a sentence?

Use "in order to compete" to introduce the reason why a person or organization takes a specific action. For example, "The business diversified its product line "in order to compete" with larger companies".

What can I say instead of "in order to compete"?

You can use alternatives like "to remain competitive", "for competitive purposes", or "to be competitive" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "to compete" or "in order to compete"?

While both are grammatically correct, "to compete" is often more concise. Use ""in order to compete"" when you want to emphasize the purpose or intention behind an action. If there is no need to emphasize intention, "to compete" would be sufficient.

What's the difference between "in order to compete" and "to gain an advantage"?

"In order to compete" indicates a need to participate effectively in a competitive environment. "To gain an advantage" implies a desire to surpass competitors, not just match them.