a confrontational issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a confrontational issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a topic or situation that is likely to lead to conflict or disagreement among individuals or groups. Example: "The debate over climate change has become a confrontational issue, with strong opinions on both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I think there is a general approach by both sides to treat this issue with wisdom and without making this a confrontational issue," Mr. Ban said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I admire Buffett for taking such a strong stand on taxing millionaires and billionaires to redress in part the disparity between the very rich and the rest of us which is a seethingly confrontational issue in the 2012 presidential election.

Forbes

I admire Buffett for taking such a strong stand on taxing millionaires and billionaires to redress in part the disparity between the very rich and the rest of us -- which is a seethingly confrontational issue in the 2012 presidential election.

Huffington Post

Stringfellow and Campbell raised difficult and confrontational issues and were skewered by the established church folk.

Huffington Post

Before the 2004 raid, the prosecutors tried a less confrontational approach, issuing a subpoena for all the samples and the results from the 2003 testing.

The New York Times - Sports

Usually, public debate takes place on raucous television chat shows, which critics accuse of framing issues in a confrontational and divisive manner.

The New York Times

On one side, hard-liners, including Bannon, who has said he believes that China is "bent on world domination," advocated a confrontational stance on trade and other issues.

The New Yorker

"Medicine Man" (Forbes, Oct. 29, 2007) incorrectly describes the funding history of Abaxis prior to its initial public offering, misrepresents regulatory issues and concocts a confrontational board meeting at which I allegedly resigned as chief executive.

Forbes

Archbishop Williams is rarely seen as a confrontational figure, preferring to seek consensus on issues that have divided the Anglican Communion, like the ordination of gays and the appointment of women as bishops.

The New York Times

Matthew Dowd, Mr. Bush's chief strategist, took issue with the notion that it was risky to begin a confrontational phase of the campaign now.

The New York Times

A confrontational fuse was lighted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing "a confrontational issue", maintain a neutral tone to avoid escalating the conflict.

Common error

Avoid using inflammatory language when discussing "a confrontational issue"; instead, aim for constructive dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a confrontational issue" functions as a noun phrase, where 'confrontational' modifies 'issue', indicating a topic or situation likely to provoke disagreement or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a confrontational issue" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a topic likely to cause conflict or disagreement. Though its occurrence is rare, it finds its primary context in news and media. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. Alternatives include "a contentious issue" and "a divisive issue". When employing this phrase, consider maintaining a neutral tone to prevent escalating conflict. The phrase is effective for identifying subjects prone to debate and opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contentious issue

Replaces 'confrontational' with 'contentious', emphasizing the disputable nature of the issue.

a divisive issue

Focuses on the issue's capacity to create division and disagreement.

a heated debate

Highlights the intensity and potential conflict associated with the issue.

a thorny problem

Emphasizes the complexity and difficulty in resolving the issue.

a controversial topic

Replaces 'issue' with 'topic', underscoring the debate surrounding it.

a sensitive matter

Indicates that the issue requires careful handling to avoid conflict.

a point of contention

Highlights the disagreement and conflict arising from the issue.

a challenging subject

Emphasizes the difficulty and complexity associated with the issue.

a matter of dispute

Focuses on the fact that the issue is subject to disagreement and debate.

a source of conflict

Highlights the issue's role in generating disagreement and tension.

FAQs

How can I use "a confrontational issue" in a sentence?

"A confrontational issue" is used to describe a topic or situation that is likely to cause disagreement or conflict. For example, "The debate over abortion remains "a confrontational issue" in many countries".

What are some alternatives to saying "a confrontational issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a contentious issue", "a divisive issue", or "a heated debate" depending on the specific context.

What makes an issue "a confrontational issue"?

An issue becomes "a confrontational issue" when it evokes strong, opposing opinions and often leads to heated discussions or conflicts between individuals or groups.

Is it better to avoid or address "a confrontational issue" directly?

Whether to avoid or address "a confrontational issue" depends on the situation. Sometimes, avoiding it can prevent unnecessary conflict, but other times, directly addressing it in a respectful and constructive manner can lead to resolution or understanding.