a contentious discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a contentious discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conversation or debate that is marked by disagreement or conflict among participants. Example: "The meeting turned into a contentious discussion as differing opinions clashed over the proposed policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As already discussed, there is a contentious discussion within EBM as well concerning what one "may" or "should" with justification call "evidence-based".

BMC Medical Ethics

The Herald portrayed the conversation as a shakedown; the notes suggest a contentious discussion.

The New Yorker

Elected officials throughout Brazil are also engaged in a contentious discussion over the distribution of oil royalties.

The New York Times

"It wasn't a contentious discussion, but Connie really pounding the table is what led to our investment in the company," he says.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

At a famously contentious discussion at Bennington College in 1964, Taylor said: "The jazz musician has taken Western music and made of it what he wanted to make of it".

The New Yorker

It was a fairly contentious discussion as we tried to wade through all the b.s. and get to the meat of the story.

TechCrunch

Jebreal was then booked on "All In," where she had a very contentious discussion with host Chris Hayes about MSNBC and the media in general.

Huffington Post

After an apparently contentious discussion, the spokesman announced that Akhtar Muhammad Mansur, Omar's deputy since 2010, had been elected to replace him.

The New Yorker

Increasingly, this sentiment has been echoed on WeChat, China's most popular social-media platform, and across various forums in which the U.S. election is a subject of contentious discussion.

The New Yorker

The plant literature has a rich discussion of helping between species while the animal literature has an extensive and somewhat contentious discussion of within-species helping.

AoB PLANTS

More recently, a high profile and somewhat contentious discussion has played out in major medical journals about whether current conflict of interest policies create an unnecessary and undesired chill of collaboration [18, 19].

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a contentious discussion" to precisely describe scenarios where disagreement is central, but avoid overusing it if simpler terms like "debate" or "argument" suffice.

Common error

Avoid using "a contentious discussion" when the disagreement is minor or non-existent. "Contentious" implies a significant level of dispute; otherwise, it can sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contentious discussion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific type of conversation characterized by disagreement. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is used to describe situations involving debate and controversy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a contentious discussion" accurately describes a debate or conversation marked by strong disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable. While not as frequent as simpler terms like "argument", its use is appropriate across news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. To avoid misuse, it's best reserved for situations where the disagreement is significant. Consider alternatives like "a heated debate" or "a spirited disagreement" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a heated debate

Focuses more on the intensity of the argument.

a spirited disagreement

Emphasizes the energy and engagement in the disagreement.

an acrimonious debate

Highlights the bitterness and resentment present in the debate.

a controversial exchange

Points to the polarizing nature of the discussion.

a disputed deliberation

Indicates that the discussion involves formal consideration and disagreement.

a conflicting conversation

Underscores the presence of opposing viewpoints in the conversation.

a confrontational dialogue

Emphasizes the direct and challenging nature of the exchange.

a polarized conversation

Highlights the division and opposition between participants.

an antagonistic exchange

Focuses on the hostility and animosity between those involved.

a quarrelsome argument

Highlights the tendency toward conflict and disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "a contentious discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "a contentious discussion" to describe a situation where there is a lot of disagreement, for example, "The proposal led to "a contentious discussion" among the board members".

What's the difference between "a contentious discussion" and "a heated debate"?

"A contentious discussion" implies a dispute or controversy, while "a heated debate" emphasizes the intensity and passion of the argument. The former suggests a more persistent disagreement.

What can I say instead of "a contentious discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "a heated debate", "a spirited disagreement", or "a controversial exchange" depending on the context.

Is "a contentious discussion" formal or informal?

"A contentious discussion" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The word "contentious" itself carries a slightly formal tone, but the phrase is generally understood across various settings.