intense contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intense contest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where there is strong competition between two or more parties. For example, "The debate between the two candidates was an intense contest, with each candidate trying to outdo the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Behind the tedious struggle for legal advantage in Florida is an extraordinarily intense contest for public opinion.

The New York Times

They also cast votes in the far more intense contest for governorships in the nation's 36 states.

The New York Times

The DUP succeeded in winning back the Belfast East seat which saw the most intense contest of the 18 Northern Ireland seats, its candidate defeating Naomi Long of the moderate Alliance Party.

Independent

The movement of science fiction away from the genre ghetto and into the literary mainstream isn't simply a matter of taste or style, but of survival in an ever more intense contest for the minds of audiences.

The Guardian - Books

Most of the jerseys represented an N.F.L. team other than the Giants or the Dolphins, the opponents for Sunday's game, giving the afternoon the feel of an international convention, not an intense contest between two particular teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Anne Driver London Charlotte Rogan's astonishing first novel The Lifeboat (Virago) concerns the intense contest for survival between two occupants of a single lifeboat – a strong-minded woman and a tough sailor.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"China and Brazil have very different interests and priorities, and within these countries there are intense contests between different approaches, reflecting domestic political dynamics," says the IDS bulletin China and Brazil in African Agriculture.

The Guardian

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced today that Israel would hold elections early next year, eight months ahead of schedule, as he reluctantly invited an intense political contest that Israeli officials said was likely to freeze any diplomacy on the Palestinian conflict for now.

The New York Times

A17 Early Elections for Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that Israel would hold elections early next year, eight months ahead of schedule, as he reluctantly invited an intense political contest that Israeli officials said was likely to freeze any diplomacy on the Palestinian conflict in the meantime.

The New York Times

What the Eyewriter could do for really intense staring contest art, the Super Mario Hacks do for lazy gamers everywhere.

Vice

If I was asked to describe the events of the last eight weeks (and I was, so I am) I'd say that what we've seen is the strategic equivalent of two people locked in an intense staring contest.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation involving strong competition, use "intense contest" to convey the high level of engagement and stakes.

Common error

Avoid using "intense contest" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "fierce competition" or "heated battle" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intense contest" functions as a noun phrase, where "intense" modifies the noun "contest". As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a situation of strong competition. Example: "Behind the tedious struggle for legal advantage in Florida is an extraordinarily intense contest for public opinion."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

10%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intense contest" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase used to convey a high degree of competitiveness. As Ludwig AI highlights, it effectively communicates that a situation is characterized by strong engagement and high stakes. While not overly common, it finds frequent application in news, sports, and literary contexts. When using this phrase, consider varying your language to maintain reader interest, and remember its purpose is to emphasize the heightened nature of the competition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fierce competition

Focuses on the competitive aspect, emphasizing the rivalry between participants.

heated battle

Emphasizes the conflict and high emotions involved.

vigorous rivalry

Highlights the active and energetic nature of the competition.

close match

Indicates that the competition is closely balanced and hard-fought.

tight race

Suggests a competition where the participants are very close in performance or position.

strenuous struggle

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in the competition.

hard-fought game

Specifically refers to a sporting context where effort and determination are prominent.

spirited contention

Highlights the enthusiastic and passionate nature of the dispute or competition.

cutthroat competition

Emphasizes the ruthless and aggressive nature of the contest.

neck-and-neck race

Emphasizes how close the participants are in the contest.

FAQs

How can I use "intense contest" in a sentence?

You can use "intense contest" to describe any situation characterized by strong competition. For instance, "The political debate was an intense contest of ideas."

What are some alternatives to using "intense contest"?

Depending on the specific context, alternatives to "intense contest" include "fierce competition", "heated battle", or "vigorous rivalry".

Is "intense competition" better than "intense contest"?

Both "intense competition" and "intense contest" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Contest" typically implies a structured competition, while "competition" can refer to a broader, less structured rivalry.

What makes a contest qualify as "intense"?

A contest can be described as "intense" when there is a high level of effort, emotion, or stakes involved, creating a strong sense of pressure and engagement for participants.