rivalry between themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rivalry between themselves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competitive relationship among a group of people or entities, emphasizing that the rivalry exists within that group. Example: "The rivalry between themselves has intensified over the years, leading to fierce competition in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Colleges have been using rivalry between themselves and even between dormitories to reduce energy use for over a decade, and they are refining their techniques.

The New York Times - Science

River's spending only stoked the already heated rivalry between themselves and Boca, who have never left the city's working-class La Boca neighbourhood.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

No club would condone such behaviour and any rivalry between the players themselves is of a strictly sporting nature – but Torino as a team did want to deny Buffon this record.

The Guardian - Sport

Champion said that while the hosts may be competitive to "get a story," there is no hatred or rivalry between the anchors themselves.

Huffington Post

The rivalry between the two brothers themselves for the love of their father's fiancée is yet another manifestation of the primordial tragic situation for Racine, that of warring brothers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shia religious leaders themselves decry the divisive rivalry between differing schools.

The Economist

This meant entangling themselves in the long-running rivalry between the rulers of the two islands, who were in-laws.

The Economist

One of the most interesting stories – untold by the tapestries themselves, of course – concerns the rivalry between Michelangelo and Raphael.

Independent

Rivalry between the Army and Navy.

The New Yorker

Standard sibling rivalry between neighbouring countries?

Independent

What about a rivalry between you two?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rivalry between themselves" when you want to emphasize that the competition or conflict is internal to a specific group or entity. This phrasing clarifies that the rivalry is not external or with others outside of the group.

Common error

While "rivalry between themselves" is grammatically correct, ensure that the use of "themselves" adds necessary clarity. In some cases, simply saying "rivalry between them" might be more concise and equally effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rivalry between themselves" functions as a noun phrase that describes a competitive or antagonistic relationship existing within a defined group. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rivalry between themselves" is used to describe competition or antagonism existing within a group. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in English and grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Although grammatically sound, it is relatively rare, so writers should consider if "rivalry between them" is more concise. When using the phrase, ensure the addition of "themselves" adds clarity and isn't simply redundant. Alternative phrases like "competition among them" or "internal strife" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competition among them

Replaces "rivalry" with the more general term "competition" and uses "among" instead of "between themselves".

conflict between them

Substitutes "rivalry" with "conflict", highlighting a potentially more hostile relationship.

competition within their ranks

Emphasizes that the competition is internal to the group.

internal strife

Highlights the discord and disagreement within the group.

discord among them

Focuses on the lack of harmony and agreement within the group.

infighting among them

Emphasizes petty or spiteful conflict within the group.

antagonism among themselves

Uses a stronger term, "antagonism", to describe the negative relationship.

friction between the parties

Replaces the personal pronoun "themselves" with "the parties" to emphasize a less personal relationship.

competitive spirit within the group

Highlights the competitive nature of the relationship.

intergroup rivalry

Uses a single-word adjective to describe the type of rivalry.

FAQs

How can I use "rivalry between themselves" in a sentence?

You can use "rivalry between themselves" to indicate competition within a group, as in, "The "rivalry between themselves" has led to increased innovation".

What are some alternatives to "rivalry between themselves"?

Some alternatives include "competition among them", "conflict between them", or "internal strife", depending on the intensity of the relationship you wish to convey.

Is it more correct to say "rivalry between them" or "rivalry between themselves"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "rivalry between themselves" emphasizes that the rivalry is internal to a specific group. Using "rivalry between them" is generally more concise and frequently used.

What's the difference between "rivalry between themselves" and "rivalry with others"?

"Rivalry between themselves" indicates competition within a group, while "rivalry with others" suggests competition against external parties. The former is internal, and the latter is external.