What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contend
Example
The two politicians will contend in a debate next week. [contend: verb]
Example
The team had to contend with injuries throughout the season. [contend: verb]
vie
Example
The two companies are vying for the same market share. [vying: present participle]
Example
The athletes will vie for the gold medal in the upcoming competition. [vie: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contend is less common than vie in everyday language. Contend is more formal and often used in academic or legal contexts, while vie is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contend and vie?
Contend is generally considered more formal than vie. It is often used in academic or legal contexts, while vie can be used in both formal and informal contexts.