a discord

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a discord" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a disagreement or conflict, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The meeting ended in a discord, with members unable to reach a consensus on the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

People here don't like a discord between Washington and Seoul on their North Korea policies".

The New York Times

Sometimes, against a discord so vast it was thuggish, he sang in a whisper and phrases echoed or preceded his remarks, and sometimes he railed and screamed.

The New Yorker

Though both "Devil's Fire" and Uncle Buddy have pedantic streaks, Mr. Burnett evokes a discord that makes sense, touching on the schism between generations.

The New York Times

In contrast, the Labour group has become increasingly fractious and rebellious, a discord which is in danger of intensifying with Mr Dewar's incapacity.A year ago three of the Lib Dem group voted against joining the coalition.

The Economist

This creates a discord in G20 and invites foreign governments to retaliate at a time when we need those same regulators in foreign countries to support initiatives to liberalize trade in financial services.

The New York Times

In the 1280s and '90s Rome was torn by the bitter rivalries between the Colonna, Orsini, and Annibaldi families, a discord encouraged by Pope Boniface VIII, and in 1309 Clement V moved the papal residence to Avignon in France.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

This is not to dismiss Kleban's music, which expresses an old-fashioned tunefulness tempered with a mordant discord.

The New York Times

The orthogonal substrate specificity noted for PRCP and DPP7, that is, carboxypeptidase versus aminopeptidase activities, suggests a functional discord between the pair; this is an illusion.

BMC Biology

But there is, nonetheless, a scrappiness and imbalance to the work, a spiritual discord that makes it difficult to emulate.

The New Yorker

Pulaski intended to pursue Drewitz, but a growing discord between him and Zaremba prevented this from becoming a real option.

Wikipedia

It reflects a growing discord between herself and Picasso.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a discord" when you want to convey a sense of disharmony or disagreement in a more formal or literary style. It's effective in contexts where you want to avoid more common terms like "disagreement" or "conflict".

Common error

Avoid using "a discord" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place and pretentious in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a problem" or "a disagreement" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a discord" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a state of disagreement or a lack of harmony. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a discord" is a valid and commonly used expression to denote a state of disagreement or lack of harmony. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While grammatically correct, it's important to consider the context and audience to ensure its use is appropriate. Using alternatives such as "a disagreement" or "a conflict" may be more suitable in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a disagreement

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym for "a discord", lacking the formal or literary tone.

a conflict

This alternative emphasizes active opposition or struggle, while "a discord" can refer to a more passive lack of agreement.

a lack of harmony

This alternative focuses on the absence of agreement or pleasing combination, particularly in abstract or aesthetic contexts.

a state of disharmony

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing condition of lacking agreement or concord.

a source of friction

This alternative highlights the cause of conflict or tension, rather than the conflict itself.

a point of contention

This alternative refers to a specific issue that causes disagreement.

a bone of contention

This alternative refers to a subject or issue over which there is continuing disagreement.

a clash

This alternative suggests a direct and forceful disagreement.

a rift

This alternative indicates a significant division or break in a relationship or situation.

a schism

This alternative implies a formal division or separation, often within a group or organization.

FAQs

How can I use "a discord" in a sentence?

"A discord" is often used to describe a lack of agreement or harmony. For example, "There was "a discord" between their opinions on the matter".

What can I say instead of "a discord"?

You can use alternatives like "a disagreement", "a conflict", or "a lack of harmony" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a discord" or "discord"?

Both are correct but have different uses. "Discord" is a general state of disagreement, while "a discord" refers to a specific instance or source of disagreement. For example: "There is discord in the group" versus "There is "a source of friction" in the group".

Is "a discord" formal or informal?

"A discord" leans toward formal usage. In more casual settings, simpler terms like "a disagreement" or "a problem" might be more appropriate.