Cool MateCompete vs Contend
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Compete
Top 2,000 (common)A2verb
Contend
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: ContendMost common: Compete
| Compete | Contend | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kəmˈpiːt//🇺🇸 //kəmˈpiːt// | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtend/","/kənˈtendz/","/kənˈtendɪd/","/kənˈtendɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtend/","/kənˈtendz/","/kənˈtendɪd/","/kənˈtendɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To try to win against others. | to compete or argue for something |
| Example | Many schools compete in the annual science fair. | I would contend that the minister's thinking is flawed on this point. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | compete for attention, compete in sports, compete with rivals | contend that, contend for, contend with, contend against, strongly contend |
| Antonyms | cooperate, assist | yield, accept, relinquish |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'compete against' vs 'compete with'., Incorrect verb tense, e.g., saying 'competed' when 'competes' is needed., Omitting the object after 'compete'. | Confused with 'content' in writing contexts., Using 'contend' without an object (e.g., 'I contend' should be followed by a statement)., Incorrectly using 'contend' as a synonym for 'understand'. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in sports and business contexts. Avoid using in very formal settings without context. | Use 'contend' largely in formal settings, such as academic writing or debates. Avoid using it in casual conversation, where simpler words like 'argue' might be more appropriate. |
Frequently asked questions: Compete vs Contend
What's the difference between Compete and Contend?
Compete: To try to win against others. Contend: to compete or argue for something
Which is more formal: Compete and Contend?
Contend is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Compete and Contend?
Compete is the most common in everyday English.
Are Compete and Contend the same CEFR level?
Compete: A2, Contend: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Compete and Contend interchangeably?
Not always. Compete and Contend are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.