What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
competing
Example
The athletes were competing for the gold medal. [competing: verb]
Example
The two companies are competing for market share. [competing: present participle]
contending
Example
The teams are contending for the championship title. [contending: verb]
Example
The politicians are contending over the proposed policy changes. [contending: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Competing is more commonly used than contending in everyday language, especially in sports and business contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between competing and contending?
Both competing and contending can be used in formal and informal contexts, but competing may be slightly more formal due to its association with business and professional settings.
