a controversial statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a controversial statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a statement that is likely to provoke public disagreement or strong reactions. Example: "The author's latest book includes a controversial statement about climate change that has sparked a heated debate among scientists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The revelation prompted accusations from Duterte's critics, such as Senator Antonio Trillanes who said the Philippine president "qualified as a drug addict"—a controversial statement, given the Duterte Government's tough stance on drug use.

Vice

This shouldn't be a controversial statement.

The New York Times

This is not a controversial statement.

University of California, Berkeley

This is apparently a controversial statement.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's not a controversial statement, everyone okay with that?

Yale University

I don't think this is a controversial statement.

The Guardian - Opinion

That's a controversial statement, though it shouldn't be.

The New York Times - Magazine

For him, that was virtually a controversial statement.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Although the role of CD8+ T cells has been well established in these studies, there is a controversial statements about protective or deleterious function of effector subpopulation which has not been elucidated so far [ 7, 11- 17].

BMC Infectious Diseases

He does watch a lot of TV it doesn't seem like that's a massively controversial statement.

The New Yorker

"It's the right thing to do". That might not seem like a very controversial statement.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a controversial statement", provide context to help readers understand the different perspectives and potential impacts of the statement.

Common error

Avoid labeling a statement as "a controversial statement" prematurely. Ensure it genuinely elicits diverse reactions and isn't simply an unpopular or minority view.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a controversial statement" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It identifies a specific type of statement characterized by its capacity to evoke disagreement or strong opposition, confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a controversial statement" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an assertion likely to provoke disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media, Academia and Science. When employing this phrase, consider providing context for readers and avoid prematurely labeling statements as controversial. Alternatives such as "a contentious declaration" or "a provocative remark" can offer nuanced variations. Remember that the phrase aims to categorize a statement, highlighting its potential to generate public debate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contentious declaration

Replaces 'statement' with 'declaration' and 'controversial' with 'contentious', both implying disagreement but with different connotations.

a provocative remark

Substitutes 'statement' with 'remark' and 'controversial' with 'provocative', suggesting the statement is intended to elicit a strong reaction.

a disputable assertion

Replaces 'statement' with 'assertion' and 'controversial' with 'disputable', focusing on the contestable nature of the statement.

a debatable point

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression, emphasizing the aspect of being open to debate.

a questionable claim

Substitutes 'statement' with 'claim' and 'controversial' with 'questionable', highlighting doubt or uncertainty surrounding the statement.

an inflammatory comment

Replaces 'statement' with 'comment' and 'controversial' with 'inflammatory', suggesting the statement is likely to cause anger or strong feelings.

a sensitive issue

While not a direct replacement, this phrase indicates a topic prone to causing disagreement or offense, similar to a controversial statement's impact.

a divisive opinion

Replaces 'statement' with 'opinion' and 'controversial' with 'divisive', highlighting the statement's potential to cause division among people.

a polarising view

Similar to 'divisive opinion', this phrase focuses on the statement's ability to create opposing viewpoints.

a contentious issue

While not a direct replacement, this phrase points out something that is likely to cause an argument, and that makes it similar to a controversial statement

FAQs

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

You can use "a controversial statement" to describe an assertion that is likely to provoke disagreement or strong reactions. For example: "The politician made "a controversial statement" about immigration policy."

What are some alternatives to "a controversial statement"?

Alternatives include "a contentious declaration", "a provocative remark", or "a disputable assertion", each carrying slightly different nuances.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "a controversial statement"?

It is appropriate when the statement is likely to generate disagreement or offense, and when it challenges widely held beliefs or values. Ensure you have evidence of diverse reactions to the statement.

What makes a statement "controversial"?

A statement becomes "controversial" when it clashes with established norms, challenges prevailing ideologies, or touches upon sensitive subjects, resulting in widespread disagreement and debate.