Cool MateCompetition vs Race
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Competition
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Race
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
| Competition | Race | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌkɑːmpəˈtɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/reɪs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/reɪs/"]/ |
| Meaning | A contest where people or teams try to win something. | A competition to see who is the fastest. |
| Example | The competition between the two teams was very intense. | The race was thrilling, with teams competing at full speed. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | international, national, major, win, lose, have, take place, be open to somebody, winner, entry, committee, in a/the competition, competition between, competition for, cut-throat, fierce, intense, be up against, face, go into, exist, heat up, intensify, laws, against competition, in competition with, in the face of competition, outperform, blow away, crush | big, close, tight, have, hold, organize, be held, be run, take place, meet, meeting, winner, in a/the race, out of a/the race, race against, close, tight, two-horse, be in, be involved in, join, in a/the race, race between, race for, human, alien, mixed, relations, equality, discrimination, among races, between races, from a race, on the basis of race, on (the) grounds of race, human, alien, mixed, relations, equality, discrimination, among races, between races, from a race, on the basis of race, on (the) grounds of race |
| Antonyms | cooperation, collaboration | walk, crawl |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'competition' with 'competitor', Using 'compete' incorrectly as a noun, Mixing up 'competition' and 'contest' | Confusing 'race' with 'race against' (use 'race against time' when emphasizing urgency), Using the plural 'races' without context, as it may imply multiple types of competitions, Mixing 'race' with 'racing', which refers specifically to the action rather than the event |
| Usage notes | Use 'competition' in contexts like sports, events, or challenges. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in casual or slang settings without context. | Use 'race' when talking about competitions involving speed, such as running, driving, or sport. It is informal when talking about a fun, casual event but can be formal in official contexts like sports competitions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Competition vs Race
What's the difference between Competition and Race?
Competition: A contest where people or teams try to win something. Race: A competition to see who is the fastest.
Are Competition and Race the same CEFR level?
Competition: A2, Race: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Competition and Race?
Competition: noun, Race: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Competition: The competition between the two teams was very intense. Race: The race was thrilling, with teams competing at full speed.
Can I use Competition and Race interchangeably?
Not always. Competition and Race 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.