under contest

USAGE SUMMARY

"under contest" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something is being challenged or disputed. Example: The ownership of the land is currently under contest, as both parties claim ownership rights.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"All of the seats under contest have to go Democratic to protect the interests he had.

The New York Times

Under contest rules, in the event of a tie, the first team past the post was the winner.

The New York Times - Tech

All of this and more are under contest in the Supreme Court, where the two states are presently locked in a battle of substantial legal intricacy.

The New York Times

The remainder is under contest.

Huffington Post

MSHA issued $1.6 in penalties and the company paid $185,000 in penalties with the majority under contest in 2009.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

If you had 10 48 p.m. in George Bretherton's over-under contest, you win! Congratulations!

The New York Times

However, the game element comes into play under "Contests".

TechCrunch

If you like what you hear, support this artist by voting #43 at https://www.theuntz.com under contests 'The Untz Challenge' and be sure to confirm your vote through the email they send".

Huffington Post

In the same week, Serbian fanatics racially abused black English players during an Under-21 contest.

The New York Times - Sports

A 100% mark in an under-16 contest had the adjudicator cooing about her "completely professional performance".

The Guardian

The eventual goal haul eclipses Australia's record of 31-0 American Samoaan Samoa in 2001, but as this was officially an under-23 contest, Fiji's place in the history books is uncertain.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under contest" when you want to indicate that something is currently being formally challenged or disputed, often in a legal or official setting.

Common error

Avoid using "under contest" in informal contexts where simpler phrases like "disputed" or "challenged" would be more appropriate. "Under contest" carries a connotation of formal or legal challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under contest" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or clause to indicate that something is currently being challenged or disputed. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in contexts ranging from legal challenges to competition rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under contest" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, primarily employed to denote that something is being formally challenged or disputed. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase sees use across multiple reliable sources, particularly in news and media, and science contexts. While not exceedingly common, its presence indicates a specific, often legal or official, application. Alternative phrases such as "being disputed" or "under challenge" may be suitable in certain contexts, though "under contest" often carries a stronger connotation of a formal challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in dispute

Similar to "under contest" but perhaps a slightly broader application.

being disputed

Focuses on the action of disputing rather than the state.

in contention

Emphasizes active rivalry or competition.

under challenge

Highlights the act of challenging, similar to "being disputed".

being questioned

Indicates doubt or inquiry about something.

at issue

Highlights the point or matter that is being debated or contested.

subject to debate

Implies a more formal or public discussion.

liable to be challenged

Focuses on the possibility of a future challenge.

up for grabs

Suggests something is available and open to competition; more informal.

in litigation

Specifically refers to a legal dispute in court.

FAQs

How can I use "under contest" in a sentence?

You can use "under contest" to indicate that something is being formally challenged or disputed. For example, "The election results are "under contest" due to allegations of fraud."

What's the difference between "under contest" and "under dispute"?

While both phrases indicate disagreement, "under contest" often implies a more formal or legal challenge, whereas "under dispute" can refer to a broader range of disagreements.

What are some alternatives to "under contest"?

Some alternatives include "being disputed", "in contention", or "under challenge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the matter is under contestation"?

While "contestation" is a valid word, "under contest" is the more common and natural-sounding phrase to indicate that something is being challenged.