a contentious situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a contentious situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario that is likely to cause disagreement or conflict among people involved. Example: "The negotiations turned into a contentious situation, with both sides unwilling to compromise on their demands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They've built up years' worth of connections with federal lawmakers, and that counts for something, when you know the people who are waiting for you on the other side of that door in a contentious situation," he said.

The New York Times

Rajoub and Eini then shook hands, defusing a contentious situation.

Los Angeles Times

Tanaka accuses Britain of throwing away the empire "with both hands"; this would have been a contentious situation for Fleming, as he wrote the novel as the Indonesia Malaysia confrontation was breaking out in December 1962, a direct challenge to British interests in the region.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The process outlined was successful in resolving a previously contentious situation by inclusion and collaboration with the Aleuts, among others, and could be usefully applied elsewhere to complex environmental problems where severe data gaps exist.

Environmental Research

And the damage wrought by the storm escalated an already contentious situation.

The New York Times

Pietersen, for all his brilliance down the years, has largely created his own reputation for extreme subjectivity, a near genius for seeing every contentious situation in which he has found himself entirely through the prism of his own injured feelings.

Independent

The parties involved were able to overcome this contentious situation by creating an environment for consultation and discussion between public and private entities.

European Transport Research Review

The robust debate over how football should be played is further complicated by a contentious labor situation that threatens to result in the cancellation of the 2011 season.

The New Yorker

"They offer great protection from creditors or a spouse in a contentious divorce situation" or if someone is "concerned about giving an 18-year-old a lot of money," she said.

The New York Times

The chaotic, contentious situation here yielded less than Mr. Obama and his allies had hoped.

The New York Times

"If you look at the proxy pipeline, he's involved with a bunch of contentious situations".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use synonyms such as "disputed", "controversial", or "heated" for a more dynamic writing.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a situation as "contentious" without providing context or evidence. Readers need to understand why the situation is considered contentious and what the specific disagreements are.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contentious situation" functions as a noun phrase, with "contentious" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "situation". As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and describes a scenario likely to cause conflict.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a contentious situation" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe scenarios marked by disagreement and conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While frequently found in news and media contexts, it also appears in academic and scientific discussions. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide specific details about the points of disagreement to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "a controversial issue" or "a disputed matter" can be used to vary your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a controversial issue

Replaces 'situation' with 'issue', focusing on the subject of the contention.

a disputed matter

Uses 'disputed' to emphasize the disagreement aspect.

a fraught circumstance

Emphasizes the stress and anxiety associated with the situation.

a problematic scenario

Highlights the presence of problems and difficulties.

a difficult predicament

Focuses on the challenging nature of the situation.

a heated debate

Highlights the intensity and passion in the disagreement.

a tense standoff

Implies a prolonged period of disagreement or conflict.

a delicate state of affairs

Emphasizes the need for careful handling of the situation.

a sensitive subject

Focuses on the emotional or personal impact of the topic.

a challenging environment

Highlights the overall difficulty and demands of the situation.

FAQs

What does "a contentious situation" mean?

It refers to a situation characterized by strong disagreement, heated argument, or controversy. It implies that the matter at hand is likely to cause conflict or debate.

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

You can use it to describe any scenario where there is significant disagreement. For instance: "The contract negotiations developed into a contentious situation, with neither side willing to compromise."

What are some alternatives to "a contentious situation"?

You can use alternatives like "a controversial issue", "a disputed matter", or "a heated debate" depending on the context.

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

"A contentious situation" specifically implies disagreement and conflict, while "a difficult situation" simply means a challenging or problematic scenario without necessarily involving disagreement.