vie for

USAGE SUMMARY

"vie for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to compete for something, usually something that is desired. For example, "The two companies are vieing for the same government contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some 50 preachers vie for pre-eminence.

The Economist

Amateur cooks will vie for best appetizers.

The New York Times

ITALIAN Many contenders vie for this prize.

The New York Times - Food

TV bulletins vie for viewers.

The Guardian

Many contenders vie for this prize.

The New York Times - Food

Both should vie for Olympic medals.

The Washington Post

Orthodox and Catholic churches vie for skyline.

The Guardian - Travel

Two steamed puddings vie for supremacy.

The New York Times

But many others vie for the crown.

The New York Times - Food

Dating agencies vie for singles to sign up.

The Economist

Stenshoel said, "We vie for who's further left".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vie for" when you want to emphasize active competition for a limited resource or position. For example, "Several companies vie for the contract."

Common error

Avoid using "vie with" instead of "vie for" when expressing competition for something. "Vie for" is the standard and more widely accepted form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vie for" functions as a prepositional verb indicating competitive action towards obtaining something. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts where multiple entities are striving to achieve the same goal, such as "TV bulletins vie for viewers". According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vie for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that means to compete for something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing the active competition for a desired outcome. Be mindful to use "vie for" rather than alternatives like "vie with" when describing competing entities striving for a particular goal. Alternatives include ""compete for"", "contend for", and "strive for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compete for

This is a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of competing.

contend for

Implies a more determined and sustained effort to win.

jockey for

Implies maneuvering and tactical positioning to gain an advantage.

battle for

Suggests a fierce and intense competition.

strive for

Focuses on the effort and ambition involved in reaching a goal.

struggle for

Conveys a difficult and challenging competition.

pursue

Highlights the active chase or following of a particular aim.

seek

Emphasizes the search or quest for something desired.

aim for

Suggests a target or goal that one is trying to achieve.

campaign for

Implies an organized effort to win support or achieve a specific objective.

FAQs

How to use "vie for" in a sentence?

Use "vie for" to indicate that multiple parties are competing for a specific goal or resource. For example, "Many candidates "compete for" the same position".

What can I say instead of "vie for"?

You can use alternatives like ""compete for"", "contend for", or "strive for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "vie for" or "vie with"?

"Vie for" is the more common and generally accepted usage when indicating competition for a specific goal or resource. While "vie with" can be used, it often implies a direct comparison or rivalry between competitors. Therefore prefer ""compete for"" over "vie with".

What's the difference between "vie for" and "compete for"?

While both phrases indicate competition, "vie for" often suggests a more intense or strategic competition. "Compete for" is a broader term, while "vie for" implies a more focused and determined effort to win.