nearest rival

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearest rival" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the closest competitor in a particular context, such as sports, business, or any competitive field. Example: "In the latest market analysis, our company has outperformed its nearest rival by a significant margin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

His nearest rival, five meters adrift, grimaces in agony.

The New York Times - Sports

RJB's £815m bid was £100m more than its nearest rival.

The Guardian - Business

In polls, Mr Cuomo is 40 points ahead of his nearest rival, Mr Lazio.

The Economist

(The narration in Bastion, released by Supergiant Games in 2011, may be the nearest rival).

The New York Times - Arts

Moreover, as it ventures overseas, Rakuten faces stiffer competition at home: its nearest rival, Yahoo!

The Economist

And we'd still be spending over triple what our nearest rival spends [on defense].

The Economist

The song's nearest rival is Justin Bieber's "Baby", at a paltry one billion views.

The Economist

Thus Spieth reached the turn on 11 under par, four clear of his nearest rival.

Independent

He was drawing thirty per cent in the polls, five points ahead of his nearest rival.

The New Yorker

This will create a firm well over three-times bigger than its nearest rival.

The Economist

What of Froome's nearest rival at the beginning of the day, the Movistar captain Alejandro Valverde?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearest rival", ensure the context clearly establishes the basis of the comparison (e.g., market share, points, speed). For example, "In terms of market share, company A's "nearest rival" is company B."

Common error

Avoid using "nearest rival" when referring to all competitors in a market. This phrase specifically denotes the competitor closest in performance or position to the subject. Instead of saying, "Company X is outperforming its "nearest rival" in the market", when referring to all rivals, specify one company: "Company X is outperforming its "nearest rival", Company Y".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearest rival" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the competitor closest in rank, score, or achievement to a specific entity. Examples from Ludwig show it being used to compare market share, poll results, and sports standings. The phrase is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearest rival" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe the closest competitor in various fields such as sports, business, and politics. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and widely used. The analysis shows it functions as a noun phrase, primarily serving to compare the positions of competitors. It is most frequently found in news and media sources. When using "nearest rival", ensure that the context clearly defines the criteria for comparison. Alternative phrases like "closest competitor" or "leading contender" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

closest competitor

Emphasizes the competitive aspect and proximity in terms of achievement or market share.

primary competitor

Highlights the main competitor, often implying a significant level of competition.

leading contender

Focuses on someone who is competing for a leading position.

top challenger

Suggests a strong challenge to the current leader.

closest adversary

Highlights the antagonistic relationship, suggesting a conflict or opposition.

main opponent

A straightforward alternative that indicates the primary person or entity one is competing against.

immediate pursuer

Suggests the person or entity that is most closely following behind in a race or competition.

closest threat

Highlights potential danger or risk posed by the competitor.

next in line

Focuses on the order or ranking, suggesting the person or entity that is directly behind in a sequence.

second-place competitor

More specific, indicating the competitor who is currently in the second position.

FAQs

How can I use "nearest rival" in a sentence?

You can use "nearest rival" to describe the competitor who is closest to another in terms of achievement, size, or other metrics. For example, "In the polls, Mr. Cuomo is 40 points ahead of his "nearest rival", Mr. Lazio."

What is a good alternative to "nearest rival"?

Alternatives include "closest competitor", "leading contender", or "top challenger", depending on the specific context you're using it in.

What's the difference between "nearest rival" and "closest competitor"?

While both phrases are similar, "nearest rival" often implies a context where the competition is quantifiable, such as in sports or business metrics. "Closest competitor" is a broader term that can apply to various types of competition, not always quantifiable.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "nearest rival"?

The phrase may be incorrect if it is used to compare entities that are not directly competing or are too far apart in terms of performance to be considered close rivals. For example, using it to compare the top performer with a significantly underperforming entity would be inaccurate.