a contentious relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a contentious relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship characterized by disagreement, conflict, or tension between parties. Example: "The two countries have maintained a contentious relationship for decades, often clashing over trade policies and territorial disputes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The two men have had a contentious relationship.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ward has had a contentious relationship with the firefighters' union.

The New York Times

Facebook, which has had a contentious relationship with Apple, is still not integrated into iOS.

The New York Times

She had a contentious relationship with her father, and accumulated "mountains of resentment" toward him.

The New Yorker

Mohseni has a contentious relationship with Karzai, whom he once supported.

The New Yorker

For years now Mr. Saatchi has had a contentious relationship with the Tate.

The New York Times

All I can bank on is that they don't want a contentious relationship with the town".

The New York Times

The association has a contentious relationship with Tenet, according to Harry Anderson, a company spokesman.

The New York Times

Microsoft has long had a contentious relationship with the European Commission.

The New York Times

"But the more interesting letters are the ones where he's in a contentious relationship with the correspondents".

The New York Times

Parents in a contentious relationship with an ex-spouse may have similar concerns, even if abduction isn't a fear.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional tone you want to convey. While "contentious" implies conflict, it may not fully capture the nuances of the relationship. Choose synonyms carefully to reflect the intensity and nature of the disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "contentious" as a vague descriptor. Always clarify what makes the relationship contentious and who is involved. Without this context, the term loses its impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contentious relationship" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "have a relationship") or the complement of a preposition (e.g., "in a relationship"). As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a contentious relationship" effectively describes a connection marked by disagreement and conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. With a very common occurrence in contexts like news and media, this phrase is valuable for describing strained dynamics in various situations. Remember to provide specific examples when using this phrase to strengthen your writing and consider alternative phrases like "a strained relationship" or "a fraught relationship" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strained relationship

Focuses on the tension and difficulty in the relationship.

a fraught relationship

Highlights the stress and anxiety associated with the relationship.

a difficult relationship

Emphasizes the challenges and hardships within the relationship.

an antagonistic relationship

Highlights the hostility and opposition present.

a hostile relationship

Focuses on the unfriendly and aggressive nature of the relationship.

a troubled relationship

Implies problems and difficulties affecting the relationship.

a conflict-ridden relationship

Directly points to frequent conflicts within the relationship.

a problematic relationship

Indicates that the relationship is causing issues or concerns.

a combative relationship

Suggests the parties involved are often fighting or arguing.

a competitive relationship

Suggests the parties are often competing with each other.

FAQs

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

You can use "a contentious relationship" to describe a situation where two or more parties are frequently in disagreement or conflict. For example: "The company has "a contentious relationship" with its labor union."

What's the difference between "a contentious relationship" and "a difficult relationship"?

"A contentious relationship" implies active disagreement and argument, while "a difficult relationship" might simply be challenging or problematic without necessarily involving constant conflict.

What are some alternative phrases for "a contentious relationship"?

Alternatives include "a strained relationship", "a troubled relationship", or "an antagonistic relationship". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a contentious relationship" a formal or informal phrase?

"A contentious relationship" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. It's a relatively neutral term that's widely understood and accepted in various contexts.