contends: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “contends” mean?
To struggle or compete against opposition.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To struggle or compete against opposition; to assert or argue that something is true.
To engage in a contest, rivalry, or debate; to maintain a position in the face of challenge; to cope with a difficult situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more frequent in American political journalism.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of effortful struggle or principled argument.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both; more common in written than spoken discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “contends” in a Sentence
[subject] contends [that-clause][subject] contends [with object][subject] contends [for object][subject] contends [against/with opponent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contends” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The barrister contends that the evidence was mishandled.
- The team contends for a place in the Premier League.
- Farmers must contend with unpredictable weather.
American English
- The attorney contends that the defendant's rights were violated.
- The candidate contends for the party's nomination.
- The city contends with a rising homelessness crisis.
adverb
British English
- (No direct adverbial form. Use 'contendingly' is extremely rare and non-standard.)
American English
- (No direct adverbial form. Use phrases like 'in a contending manner' is awkward.)
adjective
British English
- The contending factions reached a fragile truce.
- He listed the main contending arguments in his essay.
American English
- The contending teams prepared for the championship.
- The policy addresses the contending interests of stakeholders.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The startup contends with established giants for market share.
Academic
The researcher contends that the data supports a new theory of particle interaction.
Everyday
She contends with a long commute every day.
Technical
The software contends with multiple simultaneous requests for processing priority.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contends”
- Incorrect: He contends to be the best. Correct: He contends that he is the best. OR He contends for the title of best.
- Incorrect: They are contending the problem. Correct: They are contending with the problem.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used for asserting a point ('He contends that...'), it also means to struggle or cope ('contend with difficulties') and to compete ('contend for a prize').
Yes, intransitively: 'The armies contended for hours.' It can also be transitive with a 'that-clause': 'She contends that he is wrong.'
'Contend' is more formal and often implies a strenuous assertion against opposition. 'Argue' is more general and common for everyday disagreements.
Commonly 'with' (struggle against), 'for' (compete to gain), 'against' (oppose), and 'that' (introduce a statement).
To struggle or compete against opposition.
Contends is usually formal, academic, journalistic in register.
Contends: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈtendz/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈtɛndz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “contend with the elements”
- “have a lot to contend with”
- “contend for the crown”
- “contend against the odds”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TENNis player in a final match – they CONtest and conTEND for the title.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR ('contend with an opponent'), LIFE IS A STRUGGLE ('contend with difficulties').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'contends' INCORRECTLY?