a controversial declaration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a controversial declaration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a statement or announcement that is likely to provoke disagreement or public debate. Example: "The politician's speech included a controversial declaration that sparked widespread protests across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Newspaper reporters engage in a daily dialectic, and try to follow a controversial declaration with a balancing statement from someone on the other side.

The New York Times

Marine biologists and philosophers have joined forces to support a controversial declaration of rights for whales and dolphins because their astonishing intelligence and emotional empathy makes them equal to humans.

Independent

A Welsh cricket side say they were "hard done by" after a controversial declaration by their rivals denied them the chance to win the league title.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yet many GOP senators weighing a vote on nullifying Trump's national emergency are being confronted with a difficult choice: Buck their president and potentially draw the wrath of core Republican voters, or support Trump's controversial declaration for a wall that remains unpopular with the broader public.

The Washington Post

Less than a year ago, Donald Trump made the bold and controversial declaration that, if elected president, he would enact a ban on Muslims entering the United States.

Huffington Post

At a late afternoon news conference shown on state television, the presidential spokesman also stated that a controversial constitutional declaration issued in June had been cancelled.

BBC

Mulvaney signaled that Trump would not reduce his demands that Congress provide funds to build more barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico, which he long had promised Mexico would pay for, and said the president might use a controversial emergency declaration to go around Congress to get the money.

Los Angeles Times

Less than a year ago, /www.huffingtonpost.com/news/donald-trump/"}}">Donald Trump made the bold and controversial declaration that, if elected president, he would enact a ban on Muslims entering the United States.

HuffPost

In making the controversial declaration, the widely revered civil rights leader gave voice to a growing number of Americans who have watched in abject horror as the presidential transition of an increasingly belligerent Donald Trump unfolds.

Huffington Post

But on Wednesday he became the second senior congressional Republican to contradict the president's controversial declaration.

The Guardian

Current leader Mr Netanyahu's campaign has focused on security and diplomacy, including the controversial declaration that there will be no Palestinian state if he emerges victorious for another term.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a controversial declaration" when you want to highlight that a statement is likely to generate debate or disagreement. Ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the declaration controversial.

Common error

Avoid using "a controversial declaration" without clearly explaining why the declaration is controversial. Provide sufficient background information for your audience to understand the nature of the controversy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a controversial declaration" functions as a noun phrase typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a statement or announcement characterized by its likelihood to provoke disagreement or debate. Ludwig AI indicates its acceptability in written English, aligning with its use in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a controversial declaration" is a noun phrase used to describe a statement or announcement likely to provoke disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase signals to the audience that the declaration is not universally accepted and may generate debate. While its frequency is rare, using this phrase effectively requires clearly indicating the reasons for the controversy. Alternatives include "a contentious statement" and "a disputed assertion", which offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contentious statement

Replaces "controversial declaration" with a more direct term for a statement likely to cause argument.

a disputed assertion

Uses "assertion" instead of "declaration" and "disputed" instead of "controversial", focusing on the disagreement surrounding the claim.

a debatable proclamation

Employs more formal terms like "proclamation" and "debatable" to suggest a statement open to formal discussion and disagreement.

a provocative announcement

Focuses on the intent to incite reaction or debate, using "provocative" to highlight this aspect.

a questionable pronouncement

Highlights the doubt or uncertainty surrounding the statement, suggesting it may not be accurate or well-founded.

an inflammatory remark

Stresses the potential for the statement to cause anger or strong negative reactions.

a divisive statement

Emphasizes the statement's ability to create division or disagreement among people.

a challenged claim

Highlights that the claim has been actively questioned or opposed.

a polarising announcement

Like "divisive", focuses on the splitting of opinions or sides as a result of the announcement.

an unpopular decree

This alternative suggests that declaration is perceived negatively by a substantial number of people.

FAQs

How can I use "a controversial declaration" in a sentence?

You can use "a controversial declaration" to describe a statement or announcement that is likely to cause disagreement or public debate. For example, "The politician's speech included "a controversial declaration" about immigration policy".

What can I say instead of "a controversial declaration"?

You can use alternatives like "a contentious statement", "a disputed assertion", or "a debatable proclamation" depending on the context.

What makes a declaration "controversial"?

A declaration is considered "controversial" when it is likely to provoke disagreement, opposition, or strong negative reactions due to conflicting opinions or beliefs. It often touches on sensitive or divisive issues.

Is it better to avoid making "a controversial declaration" in professional settings?

Whether to make "a controversial declaration" in a professional setting depends on the context and your goals. Consider the potential impact on your audience and whether the statement is necessary and appropriate for the situation. It's often best to proceed with caution and be prepared to support your statement with evidence.