a controversial situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a controversial situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario that generates differing opinions or debates among people. Example: "The decision to build a new highway through the national park has created a controversial situation among environmentalists and local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"None of these got fired on a controversial situation," Cooper said.

The New York Times - Sports

While the deliberative and judicial species have their context in a controversial situation in which the listener has to decide in favor of one of two opposing parties, the third species does not aim at such a decision: the epideictic speech praises or blames somebody, it tries to describe things or deeds of the respective person as honorable or shameful.

SEP

If a controversial situation arises such as an infringement on our privacy based on US laws not our own, the country that makes the final call is most probably not going to be the country with a population ten times smaller with a fraction of the defense force.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I like an example of a challenging situation in a business environment where they took a controversial position.

The New York Times

"Filing asset-forfeiture lawsuits against these commercial properties is a very clever way to handle an otherwise horribly difficult and controversial situation," said Greg Baldwin, a partner at the Miami law firm Holland & Knight and a former federal prosecutor.

Huffington Post

As a reaction to this controversial situation, however, aluminum-free antitranspirants have begun to appear in the market.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The pair have not spoken since Barlow's act, Carolynne Poole, was booted off the ITV talent show following a controversial "deadlock" situation on Sunday night which saw the Take That star storm from his seat.

Independent

In talking, but not talking, about the subject matter, Mr. Albee said that it could have been another controversial situation -- sexual, political, tribal.

The New York Times - Arts

"They talked to me about the controversial situation at Binghamton, they said it was just players making the wrong decisions," said Glenn, who is from the Rochester area.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not a petrol head, or part of the BBC's key and highly lucrative demographic, so when I hear about yet another controversial situation which this tall man of Chipping Norton finds himself in, just for his sniggering fans to drool over, I feel a bit bored.

Independent

There is an urgent need for appropriately designed and powered clinical trials addressing this apparently controversial situation.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a controversial situation", ensure that the context clearly indicates the differing opinions or perspectives involved. Providing specific examples or viewpoints can strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a controversial situation" without specifying why the situation is controversial. Clearly identify the conflicting viewpoints or issues at stake to provide context and avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a controversial situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "controversial" modifies the noun "situation". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used to denote a scenario that triggers disagreement or differing opinions, as demonstrated in various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a controversial situation" accurately describes a scenario marked by disagreement or conflicting viewpoints. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its varied usage across contexts like news, science, and even informal conversation. While alternatives such as "a contentious issue" or "a sensitive matter" exist, choosing the right one depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to provide context when using the phrase to clarify the nature of the controversy. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contentious scenario

Replaces 'controversial' with 'contentious', emphasizing the element of dispute or argument.

a debatable circumstance

Uses 'debatable' instead of 'controversial', highlighting the point that the situation is open to discussion and disagreement.

a disputed event

Focuses on the 'event' aspect of the situation, implying that there is disagreement about what happened or its significance.

a sensitive issue

Emphasizes the delicate nature of the situation and the need for careful handling.

a problematic state of affairs

Shifts the focus to the difficulties and challenges presented by the situation.

a thorny issue

Highlights the complexity and potential for conflict within the situation.

a delicate matter

Similar to 'sensitive issue', but emphasizes the need for tact and discretion.

a vexed question

Indicates that the situation is a source of annoyance or frustration and is difficult to resolve.

a divisive topic

Highlights the situation's tendency to cause division and disagreement among people.

an open question

Suggests the situation involves unresolved issues or uncertainties.

FAQs

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

You can use "a controversial situation" to describe a scenario that is subject to disagreement or debate. For example: "The new policy has created "a controversial situation" within the company".

What are some alternatives to "a controversial situation"?

Alternatives to "a controversial situation" include phrases like "a contentious issue", "a debatable circumstance", or "a sensitive matter", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "controversial issue" or "controversial situation"?

Both "controversial issue" and "controversial situation" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Issue" focuses on the specific point of contention, while "situation" highlights the broader context and surrounding circumstances.

What makes a situation "controversial"?

A situation is considered "controversial" when it evokes strong disagreement or opposition, typically involving conflicting values, beliefs, or interests among different groups or individuals.