race

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'race' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a competition of speed, skill, or endurance, or to refer to a contest between individuals, companies, nations, or other groups. For example, "In the race to become CEO of the company, there are six strong contenders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're in the middle of a very important pennant race.

The New York Times - Sports

But any irony involved in a coalition government that came to power pledging to scrap identity cards introducing a system of foreign residence permits will be lost as the political parties indulge in "a race to the bottom" over immigration.

The Guardian

What do you eat on the morning of a race?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The term "nervous" is on every rider and manager's lips when asked to describe the demands of the early phase of the race, but what they mean is more complex than a few shivers of anticipation at the prospect of a tricky bit of road or two.

The Guardian - Sport

What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.

The New York Times

"If we're running a race against their most articulate guy," Steve Schmidt, John McCain's former campaign manager, told me, referring to President Obama, "we should put our most articulate guy.

The Economist

That means ensuring that those who do come here are the brightest and the best, the people we really need with the skills and entrepreneurial talent to create the British jobs and growth that will help us to win in the global race".

The Guardian

Creative and intellectual, she is extremely interesting in race and culture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This race is close with lots of ups and downs.

The Guardian

I have not been consistent enough for the first part of the season but don't forget that I am sixth in the race [to the ATP World Tour Finals].

The Guardian - Sport

The facts of the actual strike are jettisoned in favour of a ticking-clock climax whereby Scargill/Pacino must race to parliament on a motorbike and make a tear-jerking speech before the miners blow up Sellafield.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "race" to refer to ancestry, be mindful of the sensitivities surrounding discussions of race and ethnicity. Ensure your language is respectful and avoids perpetuating stereotypes.

Common error

Avoid ambiguous usage by ensuring the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a competition (like a foot race) or a group of people sharing common ancestry. Providing additional context often resolves potential confusion.

Linguistic Context

The word "race" serves as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes a competition or a group of people with shared characteristics. As a verb, it means to compete in a contest of speed. Ludwig examples illustrate these varied uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Politics

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Arts

5%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "race" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb. It commonly denotes a competition or a group of people sharing common ancestry. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Given its varied applications, it's essential to consider context, especially when referring to ancestry, to ensure respectful and accurate communication. Related terms include "competition", "ethnic group", and "sprint". Best practices involve being mindful of sensitivities, while common errors involve ambiguous meanings. With its high frequency in news, sports, and political contexts, "race" remains a relevant and actively used word in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competition

Focuses on the competitive aspect, omitting the element of speed or ancestry.

contest

Similar to competition, but with a broader application beyond just speed.

tournament

Implies a structured competition with multiple stages.

ethnic group

Emphasizes cultural and ancestral heritage rather than physical traits.

rivalry

Highlights the competitive tension between participants, rather than the event itself.

campaign

Refers to a sustained effort to achieve a specific goal, often in a political context.

dash

Highlights a short, fast run or burst of speed.

population

Highlights the demographic aspect, removing connotations of heritage or competition.

sprint

Similar to dash, emphasizing a quick burst of speed over a short distance.

ancestry

Focuses specifically on lineage and heritage, excluding aspects of competition or physical characteristics.

FAQs

How is "race" used in the context of human populations?

In the context of human populations, "race" refers to a group of people sharing common ancestry, heritage or characteristics. However, it's important to be sensitive to the historical and social implications of this term.

What does "race" mean when referring to a competition?

When referring to a competition, "race" signifies a contest between individuals, animals, vehicles etc, where the goal is to be the first to reach some objective.

What can I say instead of "race" when discussing ethnicity?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ethnic group", "population", or "ancestry" to describe shared heritage.

How can I use "race" correctly in a sentence about competition?

In the context of a competition, you can use "race" to describe the event itself, such as "The "marathon" was a challenging race" or the act of competing, such as "The athletes raced to the finish line".