to be in contention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be in contention" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
This phrase typically refers to competing for or being in the running for something (such as a job, an award, or a championship title), and is used to convey a sense of competition. For example, you could say "The finalists are all in contention for the top prize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's good to be in contention".

The New York Times - Sports

"I am pleased to be in contention.

The Guardian - Sport

Neither team is expected to be in contention to progress.

Independent

You know he's going to be in contention this week.

The New York Times - Sports

To be on the leader board, to be in contention.

The New York Times - Sports

Burns or Byron deserve to be in contention too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stanley is of the mind that it is better to be in contention and lose than never to be in contention at all.

The New York Times - Sports

"Has it taken a little longer than I thought to be in contention?" he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a rush out there to be in contention at the Players".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think everybody is going to be in contention," Johnson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Even 49ers players admit they are surprised to be in contention.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be in contention" when you want to emphasize the competitive aspect of a situation, particularly when discussing potential winners or candidates.

Common error

Avoid using "to be in contention" if the situation involves cooperation or collaboration rather than direct competition. The phrase is most effective when there's a clear sense of striving against others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be in contention" functions as a predicate nominative or complement within a sentence, describing the state or condition of a subject. Ludwig's examples show it often follows a linking verb (e.g., "is", "are", "seems") to indicate that someone or something is competing for a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be in contention" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies being in a competitive position to win or achieve something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is frequently found in news, sports, and general contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While "to be in the running" or "to be a contender" can serve as alternatives, "to be in contention" effectively conveys the competitive spirit, as highlighted by Ludwig's numerous examples. Therefore, use this phrase confidently when describing scenarios where individuals or groups are actively competing for a desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in the running

This alternative uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the same meaning of being a potential winner.

to be a contender

This is a more concise way of saying that someone or something has a chance of winning.

to be in the frame

This idiom suggests being considered as a possible candidate or winner.

to stand a chance

This indicates having some possibility of success, although it may not guarantee being a frontrunner.

to be in the mix

This suggests being among a group of competitors, with a reasonable opportunity to win.

to be a likely candidate

Emphasizes the probability of someone being selected or winning.

to be in a favorable position

Focuses on having an advantage or good standing relative to competitors.

to be in the hunt

This idiom implies actively pursuing a goal and still having a realistic chance of achieving it.

to have a shot at

This suggests having an opportunity or attempt at achieving something.

to be in line for

Suggests that someone is likely to receive something, such as an award or promotion.

FAQs

How can I use "to be in contention" in a sentence?

You can use "to be in contention" to describe someone or something that has a reasonable possibility of winning or achieving a goal. For example: "Several candidates are "to be in contention" for the leadership position."

What's a more formal alternative to "to be in contention"?

A more formal alternative would be "to be a contender" or "to be in the running", both of which convey a similar meaning but with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "to be in contention for" something?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. The preposition "for" is commonly used to specify what someone or something is competing to achieve. For example: "The team is "to be in contention" for the championship."

What is the difference between "to be in the running" and "to be in contention"?

"To be in the running" is an idiomatic expression that implies active participation and a reasonable chance of winning. "To be in contention" is slightly more formal and directly emphasizes the competitive aspect of the situation.