on a race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a race" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe competing in a competition or a contest. For example, "She's been training hard for the marathon, and is determined to come out on top on a race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

If you had your last fiver to put on a race, you'd want AP to be riding the horse".

The Guardian - Sport

Anecdote of a man who went to England with one and bet it on a race.

The New Yorker

Driving fast on a race track was one way to expose those high level abilities, he said.

BBC

On a race course, there are many places one might expect to find him.

The New York Times - Sports

But she has her sights on a race early next year, and maybe another — a big one, her first marathon — next November.

The New York Times - Sports

Imagine a sumo wrestler, for instance, on a race bike.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

(Possession of such a thing on a race track will get you ruled off).

The New Yorker

Their boat is moored off the Niantic Yacht Club, the only one in town, on a racing membership.

The New York Times

For example, concurrent separation logic is based on a race-detecting, resource-sensitive variant of fairmerge.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

By 7 a.m. on a race-day morning, the cooks are busy down at the stock-car garage.

The New Yorker

A young man on a racing bike nicked a chrome-encrusted Denali.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a race" when describing someone's state or actions within the context of a competitive event, such as "He's focused on a race against time to complete the project".

Common error

Avoid using "on a race" to describe general progress or movement unless it explicitly relates to a competitive event. For instance, instead of saying "They are on a race to improve sales", consider "They are striving to improve sales" if no direct competition is implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a race" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a state of being engaged or involved in a competitive event. Ludwig highlights its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a race" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to describe involvement or focus within a competitive context. Analysis by Ludwig indicates its prevalent use in news, media, and academic sources. While versatile, it is essential to ensure its application appropriately reflects competitive scenarios to avoid contextual misuse. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable and suitable in written English for describing participation or engagement in a contest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competing in a race

Highlights the act of competing.

participating in a race

Emphasizes involvement in the race.

while racing

Emphasizes the action of racing itself.

engaged in a race

Emphasizes active participation.

during a competition

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the activity.

in a racing contest

Replaces 'race' with a more formal term, 'contest'.

in the midst of a race

Highlights being surrounded by the competitive event.

amidst the racing event

Highlights being surrounded by the racing event.

in the course of a race

Emphasizes that something happens as part of the race process.

during the heat of a race

Stresses the intensity and excitement of the race.

FAQs

How can I use "on a race" in a sentence?

You can use "on a race" to describe someone's position, mindset, or actions during a competitive event. For example, "The driver was completely focused "on a race"."

What are some alternatives to "on a race"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "during a competition", "competing in a race", or "in the midst of a race".

Is it grammatically correct to say "on a race"?

Yes, "on a race" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate being involved or focused on a competitive event or task.

What does it mean to be "on a race against time"?

To be "on a race against time" signifies that you are under pressure to complete something quickly, as if you are competing against the limited time available. You may also say you are "in a hurry" or "pressed for time".