keen competition

USAGE SUMMARY

"keen competition" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means intense or fierce competition between individuals or groups. It can be used in various contexts, such as in business, sports, or academic settings. Example: The company faced keen competition in the market as several new competitors emerged with similar products and competitive pricing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

There is keen competition for the 168 campsites.

The New York Times

But the tournament steams ahead, buoyed by keen competition on the men's side.

The New York Times - Sports

Tells about the keen competition to get city franchises & the maneuverings, sometimes dishonest, by cable companies and the cities.

The New Yorker

This keen competition pushed some smaller banks to lend recklessly, causing a banking crisis that blew up the economy.

The Economist

Unimaginable in many parts of the world, there is keen competition among African countries to host AFRICOM's new headquarters.

The Economist

In Sweden workers in manufacturing face keen competition and have moderated their wage claims; those who work in retailing are more strident.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The results indicate that when the ticket price discount of Wuhan-Guangzhou air is higher than 30%, there exist keen competitions between the high-speed railway and air transportation, and the higher the discount is the more competitions exist.

Journal of Transportation Systems Engineering and Information Technology

Keen competitions in the global market have led product development to a more knowledge-intensive activity than ever, which requires not only tremendous expert knowledge but also effective analysis of design information.

Expert Systems with Applications

Keener competition for deals in America and Europe is prompting funds to look further afield.

The Economist

But she says that there are clear trends for more regular travel and greater transparency over fees, which could lead to keener competition over such foreign exchange charges.

The Guardian - Travel

He's up against a far-east location that has keener competition from more seductive dining enclaves than in the past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a competitive situation, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Keen competition" suggests a healthy and active rivalry, but alternatives like "cutthroat competition" imply a more aggressive environment.

Common error

Avoid using "keen competition" when the situation involves unethical or excessively aggressive tactics. Alternatives like "predatory competition" or "unscrupulous rivalry" may be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keen competition" functions as a noun phrase where "keen" modifies the noun "competition". It describes the intensity or strength of the competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keen competition" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations with intense rivalry. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates the presence of strong competitive forces in various contexts, from business and sports to academics. While its register is generally neutral to professional, consider using more specific alternatives like "cutthroat competition" or "vigorous competition" to convey a more nuanced meaning. Remember to choose the phrase that best reflects the intensity and nature of the competition you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stiff competition

Substitutes "keen" with "stiff", suggesting difficulty and resistance in competing.

vigorous competition

Replaces "keen" with "vigorous", highlighting the active and energetic nature of the competition.

acute competition

Uses "acute" instead of "keen" to emphasize the sharpness and intensity of the competition.

intense rivalry

Replaces "competition" with "rivalry" and "keen" with "intense", emphasizing the antagonistic aspect.

fierce rivalry

Similar to "intense rivalry", this alternative uses "fierce" to describe rivalry.

cutthroat competition

Implies a ruthless and aggressive form of competition.

heated contest

Replaces both words with alternatives, implying a passionate and closely fought competition.

strong competitive pressure

Focuses on the pressure created by competition rather than the competition itself.

intense market pressure

Shifts focus to the market environment, suggesting strong competitive forces are at play.

tough competitive environment

Highlights the overall challenging conditions created by intense competition.

FAQs

How can I use "keen competition" in a sentence?

You can use "keen competition" to describe situations where there is significant rivalry or contest, for example: "There is "keen competition" among the applicants for the job."

What are some synonyms for "keen competition"?

Alternatives to "keen competition" include "intense rivalry", "stiff competition", or "fierce competition", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "keen competition" versus "fierce competition"?

"Keen competition" suggests a healthy and active rivalry, while "fierce competition" implies a more aggressive and intense struggle. Choose based on the specific context of the rivalry.

Is "keen competition" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "keen competition" is appropriate for formal writing in business, academic, and journalistic contexts. It is a standard and well-understood phrase.