prevent competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevent competition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing business practices, market dynamics, or regulatory measures aimed at limiting competitive behavior. Example: "The new policy was designed to prevent competition among local businesses, ensuring that they could thrive without external pressures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using a drug-safety tool to prevent competition.

Harvard University

Third.—To prevent competition in the manufacture, making, transportation, sale, or purchase of merchandise, produce, or commodities, or to prevent competition in aids to commerce.

Cornell University

All animals were individually housed to prevent competition for access to the shower.

Journal of Dairy Science

Newly planted trees will also benefit from a geotextile mat, to prevent competition from weeds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the wild, this would prevent competition from finding the prey first.

The New York Times - Science

The debate over the use of copyright law to prevent competition and interoperability in the global software industry.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The legislation gives the Federal Communications Commission power to roll back rates, and bans programming contracts that prevent competition.

The New York Times

Together, she hopes, they will have more clout when they speak out against measures that prevent competition.

The Guardian

It denied abusing the planning process to prevent competition, noting that the 10 largest chains had opened 600 stores between 2000 and 2005.

The Guardian - Business

According to prevailing social conditions, their inmates might be let out to contractors or kept idle to prevent competition on the labour market.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The rationale for Gazprom's legal monopoly on exports was to prevent competition among Russian companies that would push down the price of natural gas in Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business ethics or legal matters, use "prevent competition" to clearly express actions aimed at limiting fair market practices.

Common error

Avoid using "prevent competition" in contexts where fostering healthy rivalry is desired, such as in sports or team projects. It's better suited for describing anti-competitive business strategies or regulatory actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevent competition" functions primarily as a purpose connector, often used in legal, business, and economic contexts to describe actions taken with the intention of limiting or eliminating rivalry. Ludwig shows how this phrase appears in discussions about market regulations, corporate strategies, and antitrust laws.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prevent competition" is commonly used to describe actions aimed at limiting or eliminating rivalry, mainly in business, legal, and economic contexts. Ludwig’s analysis indicates that its usage is grammatically correct and very common, with a neutral to formal register. While often carrying negative connotations of unfair market practices, the phrase can also be relevant when protecting intellectual property or ensuring compliance. Remember to consider context carefully to avoid misinterpretations. As confirmed by Ludwig, "prevent competition" is a valuable tool for effectively expressing strategies that hinder market forces or protect market positions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thwart competition

Emphasizes the act of successfully opposing or preventing competitive efforts.

stifle competition

Suggests suffocating or hindering competition, often through regulatory or economic means.

suppress rivalry

Suggests a forceful stifling of competitive behavior.

curtail competition

Suggests a reduction or limitation of competition, but not necessarily a complete prevention.

eliminate rivalry

Indicates a complete removal of competitive forces.

inhibit rivalry

Implies a more subtle form of hindering competition, rather than outright preventing it.

block competitiveness

Highlights the act of creating a barrier against the ability to compete effectively.

undermine competitive forces

Implies weakening the factors that drive competition, leading to its decline.

restrict market access

Focuses specifically on limiting entry into a market as a way to prevent competition.

impede market forces

Highlights the disruption of natural market dynamics.

FAQs

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

You can use "prevent competition" to describe actions taken to limit or eliminate rivalry, as in "The company used its patents to "prevent competition" from generic drug manufacturers".

What are some alternatives to "prevent competition"?

Alternatives include "inhibit rivalry", "restrict market access", or "stifle competition", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to "prevent competition"?

Generally, "prevent competition" has negative connotations in business and economics, suggesting unfair practices. However, in certain contexts, like protecting intellectual property or ensuring safety standards, it can be justifiable.

What's the difference between "prevent competition" and "reduce competition"?

"Prevent competition" implies a complete or near-complete elimination of rivalry, while "reduce competition" suggests a decrease in the intensity or number of competitors. The former is often seen as more problematic.