a cause of contention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cause of contention" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means something that causes disagreement or conflict between people or groups. Example: The lack of funding for education has been a cause of contention among parents, teachers, and government officials for years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Even school breakfasts are back as a cause of contention.

The Economist

One NTC official admitted that the continued presence of Gaddafi in cold storage was a cause of contention.

The Guardian

That seems to have been a cause of contention during his brief marriage to Daisy Rivera, whom he wed in 1983 under family pressure after she became pregnant.

The New York Times

What Mayer should do with the massive cash hoard is a cause of contention between the company and some investors.

TechCrunch

This creates a disparity with respect to payment for performance and has been a cause of contention in the Ugandan public health care system for a long time [ 34, 36, 41].

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I commissioned research to see if my experience was typical of shared living – it revealed that while housemates were lots of fun to live with, chores and bills were a cause of much contention.

The Guardian

Teasing out the expression and biological function of each p63 variant has been both the focus of, and a cause for contention in the p63 field.

BMC Genomics

One cause of contention for viewers was that a minor character is raped in the books, instead of Sansa on the show.

Huffington Post

However, a recent bone of contention between the two nuclear-armed neighbours should also be a cause of utmost concern for the international community.

Independent

Recent evidence supports the contention that cellular senescence is associated with, and may even be a cause of age-related functional impairment.

Aging

However, using a naive flooding to achieve reliable broadcasting may be very costly, causing a lot of contention, collision, and congestion, to which we refer as the broadcast storm problem.

Ad Hoc Networks

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cause of contention", ensure the context clearly identifies what is causing the disagreement and who is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a cause of contention" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "something we disagree on" or "a point of argument" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cause of contention" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition within a sentence. It identifies something that instigates disagreement or conflict. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, from political disputes to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a cause of contention" is a grammatically correct and neutrally formal way to describe something that leads to disagreement or conflict. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, and Science sources, and is considered to be used uncommonly. Related phrases include alternatives such as ""a point of dispute"" or ""a bone of contention"", which offer slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes clear what and who is in disagreement and is appropriate to the level of formality of the source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a point of dispute

Focuses on a specific item or detail that is being argued over.

a source of disagreement

Highlights the origin from which the differing opinions stem.

an area of conflict

Emphasizes the clashing nature of the disagreement.

a bone of contention

An idiom indicating a persistent and significant source of conflict.

a matter of debate

Implies a more formal or structured discussion about the issue.

a point of contention

Identifies a specific issue that is being disputed.

an issue in question

Indicates that the matter is under consideration and not yet settled.

a subject of controversy

Suggests widespread public disagreement or debate.

a source of friction

Focuses on the tension and unease resulting from the disagreement.

a cause of discord

Highlights the lack of harmony and agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "a cause of contention" in a sentence?

You can use "a cause of contention" to describe something that creates disagreement or conflict. For example, "The new policy quickly became a cause of contention among the employees".

What phrases are similar to "a cause of contention"?

Alternatives include "a point of dispute", "a source of disagreement", or "a bone of contention".

Is "a cause of contention" formal or informal?

"A cause of contention" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal settings, you might prefer simpler expressions like "something we disagree on".

What's the difference between "a cause of contention" and "a source of friction"?

"A cause of contention" implies a more direct disagreement or dispute, while "a source of friction" suggests underlying tension or unease that may not be openly expressed.