What Does “Vie with sb” Mean?
“Vie with sb” means to compete or strive against someone to achieve something.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Vie with sb” is commonly used to describe situations where two or more people or groups compete with each other. It often implies a strong effort to win or be better than the other party. Understanding the Vie with sb meaning helps learners express rivalry or competition clearly in English. Whether in sports, business, or everyday life, this phrase adds a dynamic touch to your language.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal Verb: Vie with somebody
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2
- Meaning: To compete or fight against someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Vie with sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate “vie” and “with” by adding words in between.
Pattern examples:
- Subject + vie + with + object
- They vie with their rivals for the top position.
How to Use Vie with sb?
Use “vie with sb” when you want to talk about competition or rivalry. It usually appears in formal or semi-formal contexts. The phrase often involves competing for something valuable like a prize, position, or honor.
Example contexts include job applications, sports contests, or market competition.
Examples
Here are some sentences using Vie with sb in a sentence to help you understand better:
- Several companies vie with each other to secure the government contract.
- The athletes vie with their opponents to win the championship.
- Local restaurants vie with one another to attract more customers.
- She vied with her classmates to get the highest score on the exam.
- Political parties often vie with each other during elections.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes misuse “vie” by separating it incorrectly or using the wrong preposition.
- Incorrect: They vie for with the prize.
Correct: They vie for the prize. (Note: “vie for” is also possible, but “vie with” focuses on competing against someone) - Incorrect: She vies the others to win.
Correct: She vies with the others to win.
Differences / Synonyms
“Vie with sb” is similar to “compete with sb” but is slightly more formal and often used in written English. Unlike “compete,” which is more general, “vie” emphasizes the struggle or effort to win.
Other similar verbs:
- Compete with sb: General competition, can be formal or informal.
- Battle with sb: More intense and often literal fighting or conflict.
- Contend with sb: Formal, focusing on struggle or challenge.
Common Collocations
When using “vie with sb,” certain words often appear together. These combinations make your sentence more natural and clear.
- Vie with rivals: Compete against opponents or competitors.
- Vie with competitors: Similar to rivals, often in business or sports.
- Vie with teammates: Compete within the same team or group.
- Vie with others: General phrase for competing against people.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of vie with sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Imagine two friends discussing a competition at work:
Anna: Our department is really trying hard this year.
Ben: Yes, we’re all vying with the marketing team to get the biggest budget.
Anna: It’s tough, but I think we have a good chance.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrasal verb:
Several startups ___ with each other to launch the best app this year.
- a) vie with
- b) vie for
- c) vie at
- d) vie on
FAQ
- Q: Can “vie” be used without “with”?
A: Yes, but it usually pairs with “with” or “for” depending on context. - Q: Is “vie with sb” formal or informal?
A: It is more formal and common in writing or formal speech. - Q: Can I say “vie against sb”?
A: “Vie with sb” is correct; “vie against” is uncommon and not standard. - Q: What is the difference between “vie with” and “compete with”?
A: “Vie with” is more formal and emphasizes the effort to win. - Q: Is “vie” separable?
A: No, “vie with sb” is inseparable.
