What Does “Vie with sth” Mean?
“Vie with sth” means to compete or struggle against something or someone to achieve or win something.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “vie with sth” is commonly used to describe a situation where someone or something competes strongly against another person or thing. Understanding the Vie with sth meaning helps you express competition in various contexts, such as sports, business, or everyday life. This phrase highlights rivalry and the effort to surpass or match others. It is useful in both formal and informal English and can make your language more precise when talking about contests or challenges.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Vie with something
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To compete or struggle against
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Vie with sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means the object always comes after the entire phrase. You cannot separate “vie” and “with.”
Pattern: Subject + vie + with + object
Example: They vie with their rivals for the contract.
How to Use Vie with sth?
Use “vie with sth” when you want to describe a competition or struggle between people, groups, or things. It is often followed by the word “with” and the object you are competing against. This phrasal verb fits well in formal writing but can also be used in everyday conversations about rivalry or contests.
Examples
Many companies vie with each other to create the best product.
- The two teams vie with each other to win the championship every year.
- Local artists vie with international stars for recognition.
- Small businesses often vie with large corporations for customers.
- Students vie with their classmates to get top grades.
- Brands vie with their competitors to offer better prices.
Here is Vie with sth in a sentence: “The startups vie with established companies to attract investors.”
Common Mistakes
It is common to confuse the structure or misuse the preposition after “vie.”
- Incorrect: They vie the prize.
- Correct: They vie for the prize.
- Incorrect: She vies at her colleagues.
- Correct: She vies with her colleagues.
Remember, “vie” is always followed by “with” when referring to the competitor and “for” when referring to what is being competed for.
Differences / Synonyms
“Vie with sth” means to compete against someone or something. Similar phrases include “compete with,” “contend with,” and “struggle against.”
- Compete with: More general and often interchangeable with “vie with.”
- Contend with: Often implies dealing with difficulties as well as competition.
- Struggle against: Focuses on effort and difficulty rather than just competition.
Unlike “compete,” “vie” usually stresses a strong rivalry or effort to surpass the other.
Common Collocations
When using “vie with,” certain objects or phrases often appear together to show what or who is being competed against.
- Vie with rivals: Compete against competitors.
- Vie with competitors: Compete with others in the same field.
- Vie with others: Compete with other people or groups.
- Vie with challenges: Struggle or compete against difficulties.
- Vie with companies: Compete against other businesses.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of vie with sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation showing how to use “vie with sth” naturally.
Anna: Our team is really trying hard this season.
Ben: Yes, they vie with the top teams every match.
Anna: It’s exciting to watch such tough competition.
Practice
Try to fill in the blanks with the correct form of “vie with”:
- Small shops often ________ large supermarkets to attract customers.
- Several candidates ________ each other for the job position.
- The two companies ________ to offer the best prices.
Answers: vie with
FAQ
- Q: Is “vie with” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly formal but can be used in everyday speech. - Q: Can you say “vie for” instead of “vie with”?
A: Yes, use “vie for” when referring to what is being competed for. - Q: Is “vie with” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable; the object follows the whole phrase. - Q: What is a synonym for “vie with”?
A: “Compete with” is a common synonym. - Q: Can “vie with” be used for non-human competition?
A: Yes, it can be used for companies, teams, or even ideas.
