runner-up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "runner-up to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone or something that finishes in second place in a competition or contest. Example: "She was the runner-up to the champion in the national spelling bee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bespoke: A close runner-up to "couture".

The New York Times

There was no runner-up to the Angel.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was the close runner-up to my eventual choice.

The Guardian - Books

But it was runner-up to the rabbit with pappardelle.

The New York Times

He had been passed over in 2005, reportedly as the runner-up to Benedict XVI.

The New York Times

We used to be runner-up to Russia and… Talk story about Quonset huts.

The New Yorker

Harvick was the runner-up to Bowyer, his Richard Childress Racing teammate.

The New York Times - Sports

What better way for a long-running runner-up to finally break through?

The New York Times - Sports

Niekro, of the Atlanta Braves, was the N.L. runner-up to Seaver in 1969.

The New York Times - Sports

Ironically, it was the German who finished runner-up to Woods in 2008.

Independent

Schleck, who was runner-up to Contador last year, will probably finish second again.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "runner-up to", ensure that the context clearly establishes the competition or ranking being referred to. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the relationship being described.

Common error

A common mistake is using the wrong preposition after "runner-up". Always use "to" to indicate who or what the runner-up was second to. For instance, say "He was runner-up to John", not "He was runner-up with John".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "runner-up to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It specifies the entity that finished in second place in relation to the winner. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "runner-up to" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase to denote the entity that finished second in a competition or ranking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is sound and its use is prevalent in news and sports reporting. While semantically similar alternatives exist, like "second place to", the phrase "runner-up to" remains a clear and concise way to convey this information in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second place to

Directly indicates the position achieved in a competition or ranking.

finalist behind

Highlights reaching the final stage but not winning.

placed second to

Emphasizes the act of achieving the second position.

finished behind

Simply indicates that someone ended the competition in a lower position than another.

came in second to

Informal way of expressing finishing in second place.

lost out to

Focuses on the act of not winning against a specific competitor.

took silver after

More specific to sports contexts, indicating the silver medal after another competitor.

was defeated by

Highlights the opponent responsible for the loss.

next to the winner

Describes the proximity to the winner without specifically mentioning the second position.

was narrowly defeated by

Emphasizes how close the competition was.

FAQs

How is "runner-up to" used in a sentence?

The phrase "runner-up to" is used to indicate that someone or something finished in second place behind another person or thing. For example, "She was the "runner-up to" the champion in the spelling bee".

What are some synonyms for "runner-up to"?

Alternatives to "runner-up to" include "second place to", "finalist behind", or "placed second to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "runner-up of" instead of "runner-up to"?

No, "runner-up of" is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use with "runner-up" in this context is "to". It's always ""runner-up to"".

What's the difference between ""runner-up to"" and "second to"?

While both phrases indicate finishing in second place, ""runner-up to"" is more commonly used in formal contexts, especially in sports or competitions. "Second to" is a more general phrase that can be used in a wider range of situations.