a longstanding controversy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a longstanding controversy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a debate or disagreement that has persisted for a significant amount of time. Example: "The issue of climate change has become a longstanding controversy among scientists and policymakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It also generated a longstanding controversy.

The New York Times

"It helps settle a longstanding controversy about whether the human heart has any ability to regenerate itself".

The New York Times - Science

It was a longstanding controversy over a booming city industry: should pedicabs — the pedal-powered rickshaws that delight tourists and bedevil taxis — be regulated?

The New York Times

The observations, of X-rays streaming from young stars in the constellation Orion, add fuel to a longstanding controversy over exactly how the solar system and the planets formed.

The New York Times

The studies may also help settle a longstanding controversy about fossil snakes, some of which have legs to varying degrees.

Science Magazine

In effect, this mirrors a longstanding controversy over the affinities of tardigrades, which have been observed to possess a mélange of arthropod and cycloneuralian characters.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In a move likely to renew a longstanding ethical controversy, geneticists are quietly making plans to study the DNA of Adam Lanza, 20, who killed 20 children and seven adults in Newtown, Conn.

The New York Times - Science

The reviewers consider this is a significant claim because the identity of the cell-plate pathway and its relationship to pathways that operate in interphase has been a longstanding unresolved controversy.

eLife

Physician-induced demand (PID) is an important theory to test given the longstanding controversy surrounding it.

Health Economics Review

Given the longstanding controversy surrounding PID, this is an important theory to test.

Health Economics Review

In a paper published posthumously in 2001, Frank Sibley evokes the longstanding controversy surrounding the reproducibility of works of art and contends that in this regard a "two-way pull" is a pervasive feature of the practices and discourses of art.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a longstanding controversy", ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject of the controversy and its historical significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a longstanding controversy" without providing enough background information about the issue. Readers need to understand what makes the controversy significant and why it has persisted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a longstanding controversy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, indicating it clearly conveys the idea of a debate that has persisted for a considerable time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

45%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a longstanding controversy" is a common noun phrase used to describe a debate or dispute that has persisted for a significant amount of time. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable across diverse sources, including news, science, and research. This phrase is generally neutral and can be found in both professional and academic communication. Related phrases such as "an enduring dispute" and "a protracted debate" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific context. To effectively use this phrase, ensure clarity by providing enough background information about the issue being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long-running dispute

Simple variation in phrasing, focusing on the length of the dispute.

an enduring dispute

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the disagreement.

a protracted debate

Focuses on the extended duration of the discussion.

a perennial argument

Highlights the recurring nature of the disagreement.

an age-old debate

Implies the controversy has existed for a very long time.

an unresolved issue

Highlights the lack of resolution in the controversy.

a chronic disagreement

Suggests a persistent and recurring disagreement.

a historical contention

Highlights the historical background and ongoing nature of the disagreement.

a never-ending argument

Emphasizes the seemingly endless nature of the argument.

a continuous contention

Highlights the sustained nature of the contention.

FAQs

How can I use "a longstanding controversy" in a sentence?

You can use "a longstanding controversy" to describe a debate or dispute that has existed for a considerable period. For example: "The debate over genetically modified foods remains "a longstanding controversy"."

What are some alternatives to "a longstanding controversy"?

Alternatives include "an enduring dispute", "a protracted debate", or "a long-running dispute", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "long-standing" or "longstanding"?

Both forms are acceptable, but "longstanding" is more common and preferred in modern usage. "Long-standing" is also correct, but you might see it used less often.

How does "a longstanding controversy" differ from a simple disagreement?

"A longstanding controversy" implies that the disagreement has persisted over time and has likely involved significant debate and discussion, unlike a simple disagreement, which may be resolved quickly.