a disagreement started

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disagreement started" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the initiation of a conflict or difference of opinion between individuals or groups. Example: "During the meeting, a disagreement started over the proposed budget cuts, leading to a heated discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The disagreement started when Bart Cohn, a local resident and former politician, discovered that he was on the mailing list for Nieves (a man on the other end of the political spectrum), despite having never signed up for it.

Independent

Both men had grown up in prosperous suburbs: DiDonato in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia; Ung in Reston, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. Everyone had been drinking, and neither side could subsequently remember how the disagreement started; one of DiDonato's friends may have kicked in the direction of one of Ung's friends, and Ung may have mocked someone's hair.

The New Yorker

And then the disagreement started.

Huffington Post

They also have many difficult areas of disagreement, starting with Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The New York Times

The disagreement starts with what happens when Social Security needs to start drawing on the trust fund.

The New York Times

The disagreement starts, however, from the question as to how much each state should contribute to this reduction, and, in the same vein, how much emission rights should be allocated to each state.

HuffPost

He seemed frustrated by his much-publicized argument with Durant in a win over the Grizzlies on Wednesday, a disagreement that started when Westbrook pushed Thabo Sefolosha to take a shot in a key situation rather than take the shot himself.

The New York Times

If your disagreement got started over gun rights, cite statistics of murders, suicides, and accidental deaths involving guns.

WikiHow

Carnegie cited an old saying: "A man convinced against his will/Is of the same opinion still". If you are having a disagreement with someone, you start on common ground and ease your way into the difficult subjects.

Forbes

Refrain from talking about political stuff or religious beliefs because that could start a disagreement.

WikiHow

Talk to your parents about your choices and work things out before a potential disagreement could start.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a disagreement started", ensure the context clearly indicates what the disagreement is about and who is involved. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a disagreement started" without clearly specifying the subject or parties involved in the disagreement. For example, instead of saying "a disagreement started", specify "a disagreement started between the two teams over the new policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disagreement started" typically functions as the subject or part of the predicate in a sentence, indicating the commencement of a conflict or divergence of opinions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a disagreement started" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce the onset of a conflict or divergence of opinions. As Ludwig AI validates, this phrase is suitable for written English and can be found across various contexts, including news reports and general discussions. While adaptable in register, ensuring clarity about the subject and participants in the disagreement enhances its effectiveness. Consider alternatives like "a conflict began" or "a dispute arose" for varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a conflict began

Replaces "disagreement" with "conflict", suggesting a more serious dispute.

a dispute arose

Uses "dispute" and "arose" to indicate the emergence of a disagreement.

a quarrel commenced

Employs "quarrel" and "commenced" for a slightly more formal tone.

an argument ensued

Substitutes "disagreement" with "argument" and "started" with "ensued", indicating a verbal conflict.

a difference of opinion emerged

Replaces "disagreement" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the divergence in viewpoints.

a debate initiated

Uses "debate" and "initiated" to suggest a more structured and formal disagreement.

tensions surfaced

Focuses on the underlying tension that led to the disagreement, rather than the disagreement itself.

friction developed

Highlights the friction or strain that arose between parties.

discord began

Uses "discord" to emphasize the lack of harmony or agreement.

a misunderstanding unfolded

Suggests that the disagreement may have stemmed from a lack of clear communication or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "a disagreement started" in a sentence?

You can use "a disagreement started" to introduce the beginning of a conflict or difference of opinion. For example, "The meeting was disrupted when "a disagreement started" over budget allocations."

What's a more formal way to say "a disagreement started"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "a dispute arose" or "a conflict began". These alternatives convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is it correct to say "a disagreement had started" instead of "a disagreement started"?

Yes, "a disagreement had started" is grammatically correct. It uses the past perfect tense to indicate that the disagreement began before a specific point in the past. The choice depends on the timeline you want to convey.

What are some common topics that cause "a disagreement started"?

Common topics that often lead to "a disagreement started" include politics, finances, personal beliefs, and differing opinions on strategies or plans.