in the contest of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the contest of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate a comparison between two or more things. For example: "The quality of the service provided by the restaurant was excellent, even in the contest of the other high-end restaurants in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

They are now in the "Contest of the century".

The Economist

In the contest of well-readness, both sides hit grand slams.

The New Yorker

Democratic leaders and legislators continued to choose sides in the contest of wills.

The New York Times

Traditionally, in emerging markets, this occurred when foreign investors lost confidence, particularly in the contest of an exchange rate peg.

The Economist

In the contest of violence against nonviolence that is taking place in Burma today, violence now has the upper hand.

The New Yorker

She has become a legal scholar without the interest scholars normally have in the contest of ideas.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

On Monday, Burnham's campaign chief accused Cooper of clinging on in the contest "out of pride".

The Guardian

He ended up last in the contest out of five candidates.

The Guardian

The Topics provide a manual for participants in the contests of dialectical argument as instituted in the Academy by Plato.

SEP

In which case, the contest of plenties will be on again.

The Guardian - Books

Nowhere was that more evident than in the contest for speaker of the House.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the contest of" when you want to highlight a comparison or assessment made against a specific background, environment, or set of circumstances. This phrase works best when the context significantly influences the outcome or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "in the contest of" for simple comparisons where a more direct phrase like "compared to" would suffice. This phrase is best suited for situations where the surrounding circumstances add significant complexity to the comparison.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "in the contest of" is to serve as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, adding contextual information about the circumstances surrounding an event, idea, or comparison. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase introduces a setting or background against which something is evaluated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the contest of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to provide contextual background or to frame a comparison within specific circumstances. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function involves setting a scene or lens through which something is evaluated. While it appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources, this phrase is best employed in formal and analytical contexts where nuanced comparisons are necessary. Consider alternatives like "in the context of" or "within the framework of" to tailor your expression to the specific intent. Avoiding overuse in simpler comparisons will ensure that "in the contest of" maintains its impact when a complex contextual understanding is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the context of

Replaces "contest" with "context", focusing on the surrounding circumstances rather than a direct comparison.

within the framework of

Suggests a structured environment or set of rules, rather than a competitive scenario.

in light of

Highlights the influence of new information or circumstances.

considering

A more general way of introducing a factor or element to be taken into account.

given

Emphasizes the acceptance of a particular fact or situation as a basis for something.

taking into account

Highlights a deliberate consideration of specific factors.

with regard to

Indicates a specific focus on a particular aspect.

relative to

Implies a comparison against a specific benchmark or standard.

in comparison with

Directly indicates a comparative assessment.

as opposed to

Introduces a contrasting element or alternative.

FAQs

What does "in the contest of" mean?

The phrase "in the contest of" means considering something within a particular situation or set of circumstances. It suggests that the surrounding environment influences how something is perceived or evaluated.

How can I use "in the contest of" in a sentence?

You can use "in the contest of" to frame a situation where the background or surrounding factors are important for understanding the subject. For example, "The results are promising, but further research is needed in the contest of long-term effects."

What can I say instead of "in the contest of"?

You can use alternatives like "in the context of", "within the framework of", or "in light of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "in the contest of" formal or informal?

The phrase "in the contest of" leans towards the formal side, making it suitable for academic, professional, and news-related contexts. While not overly stilted, it's generally more appropriate for written communication and formal speech.