Competing interests were
Research methodology and reporting expression
Use this phrase to professionally describe situations where different goals or loyalties overlap and cause conflict.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to describe clashing goals or responsibilities.
- Essential for academic reporting and professional disclosures.
- Indicates potential bias without being directly accusatory.
المعنى
This phrase describes a situation where someone has multiple goals or responsibilities that clash with each other. It means that doing what is best for one interest might negatively affect or bias the other.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Writing a scientific paper
Competing interests were disclosed by the lead researcher regarding his stock options.
Competing interests were disclosed by the lead researcher regarding his stock options.
A city council meeting about a new park
Competing interests were evident as developers and environmentalists debated the plan.
Competing interests were evident as developers and environmentalists debated the plan.
Explaining why a project failed
The project stalled because competing interests were never fully resolved.
The project stalled because competing interests were never fully resolved.
خلفية ثقافية
This phrase is a cornerstone of Western academic and corporate ethics. It reflects a cultural value placed on objectivity and the 'disclosure' of potential biases to maintain public trust. It became standard in scientific publishing during the late 20th century to prevent corporate influence on research.
The 'Neutral' Shield
Use this phrase when you want to sound objective. It sounds less like you are accusing someone of lying and more like you are describing a logical problem.
Don't over-pluralize
Always keep 'interests' plural. You would rarely say 'a competing interest was' unless there is only one specific conflict. Usually, it's a web of issues.
في 15 ثانية
- Used to describe clashing goals or responsibilities.
- Essential for academic reporting and professional disclosures.
- Indicates potential bias without being directly accusatory.
What It Means
Imagine you are a judge in a talent show. Your daughter is one of the contestants. You want to be fair to everyone. You also want your daughter to win. These two goals are fighting each other. That is exactly what competing interests are. It is a polite way to say someone might not be objective. It implies a struggle between professional duty and personal gain.
How To Use It
You usually see this in formal writing or serious discussions. Use it to explain why a decision was difficult. You can say, Competing interests were at play during the meeting. It sounds much more professional than saying, Everyone wanted different things. It focuses on the goals rather than the people. Use the past tense were to describe a completed situation or study.
When To Use It
Use it when writing a research paper or a formal report. It is perfect for the 'Disclosure' section of a document. Use it in business when two departments want the same budget. It works well when explaining a complex political situation. If you are a journalist, use it to describe a politician's messy finances. It adds a layer of sophistication to your English.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this at a casual Friday night dinner. If your friends are arguing over pizza toppings, do not say this. It will make you sound like a robot or a lawyer. Avoid it in romantic situations too. Telling your partner, Competing interests were the cause of our fight, is a bad move. Stick to simpler words like disagreements or clashes for daily life.
Cultural Background
In Western professional culture, transparency is a huge deal. People are obsessed with 'Conflict of Interest' rules. This phrase became popular as a way to be honest without being accusatory. It suggests that having these interests isn't necessarily 'bad.' It is just something that needs to be managed or declared. It is the language of ethics and accountability.
Common Variations
You might hear conflict of interest for a more serious tone. Some people say clashing priorities in a corporate setting. You might also see vested interests when someone has a hidden agenda. Competing interests were identified is a common phrase in academic journals. It shows you have done your homework on potential biases.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a high-level C1 expression. It is most at home in formal reports, academic writing, and serious journalism. Using it correctly shows a deep understanding of professional nuance.
The 'Neutral' Shield
Use this phrase when you want to sound objective. It sounds less like you are accusing someone of lying and more like you are describing a logical problem.
Don't over-pluralize
Always keep 'interests' plural. You would rarely say 'a competing interest was' unless there is only one specific conflict. Usually, it's a web of issues.
The Ethics Secret
In English-speaking workplaces, admitting to competing interests early is seen as a sign of high integrity, not a failure.
أمثلة
6Competing interests were disclosed by the lead researcher regarding his stock options.
Competing interests were disclosed by the lead researcher regarding his stock options.
This is the standard way to mention financial ties in research.
Competing interests were evident as developers and environmentalists debated the plan.
Competing interests were evident as developers and environmentalists debated the plan.
Describes different groups wanting different outcomes.
The project stalled because competing interests were never fully resolved.
The project stalled because competing interests were never fully resolved.
Blames the situation rather than specific individuals.
My love for cake and my desire for abs are competing interests.
My love for cake and my desire for abs are competing interests.
Uses formal language for a relatable, funny personal struggle.
I want the job, but I'm friends with the other candidate—total competing interests.
I want the job, but I'm friends with the other candidate—total competing interests.
A slightly more relaxed way to use the term in a work context.
Competing interests were at the heart of our choice to move away.
Competing interests were at the heart of our choice to move away.
Shows the emotional weight of choosing between two important things.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the best word to complete the professional disclosure.
The authors declared that no ___ interests were present during the study.
`Competing interests` is the standard colocation in academic and professional English.
Complete the sentence to describe a business conflict.
The merger failed because the ___ interests were too difficult to align.
This implies that the goals of the two companies were pulling in different directions.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Level of 'Competing Interests'
Using 'clashing ideas' or 'wanting different things'
We just couldn't agree.
Standard business communication
There are some conflicting goals here.
Academic papers and legal disclosures
Competing interests were noted by the board.
Where to use 'Competing Interests'
Medical Research
Disclosing funding sources
Corporate Law
Board member disputes
Journalism
Reporting on political bias
Personal Ethics
Choosing between family and work
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةThey are very similar! Conflict of interest is often used for legal or serious ethical violations, while competing interests is a broader, slightly softer term used in research.
Only if you are being funny. Using such a formal phrase for a movie choice is a form of 'hyper-formal' humor in English.
Because interests is plural. If you are describing a past situation or a finished study, you use were to match the plural noun.
Yes, it is standard in both British and American English, especially in scientific journals like 'The Lancet' or 'Nature'.
Not at all. It just means there is a *potential* for bias. Declaring them actually proves the person is trying to be honest.
This is when someone might make money based on the outcome of a decision, like a doctor recommending a drug from a company they own.
Yes, if you are explaining why a decision is complicated. For example: There were competing interests regarding the budget allocation.
You can say clashing goals or different priorities. These are much more common in casual conversation.
Constantly. It describes how a politician might have to choose between what voters want and what their donors want.
You could say aligned interests or common goals. This means everyone is moving in the same direction.
عبارات ذات صلة
Conflict of interest
A situation where a person's private interests overlap with their professional duties.
Vested interest
A strong personal reason for wanting something to happen, often for financial gain.
Clashing priorities
When two or more important tasks require attention at the same time.
Full disclosure
The act of revealing all relevant facts, especially potential conflicts.
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