a point of friction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a point of friction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that causes tension or conflict between parties. Example: "The disagreement over budget allocations became a point of friction in the negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The revised Supreme Court is likely to be a point of friction.

The Economist

However, any ties to MySpace could present a point of friction with Viacom, whose MTV competes with it online.

The New York Times

The crisis could prove to be a point of friction between Republican governors and members of Congress.

The New York Times

But a point of friction with Trump's idea is that it must be like France's national parade, or even larger.

The Washington Post

"We wanted to do something that was going to remove this as a point of friction in our relationship with the Americas".

The Guardian

"Because of the lack of development in housing, and a larger white population coming up here," Mr. Nuñez said, "it is bringing things to a point of friction".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"It eliminates the taxes both past and future," he said, "and it resolves what the U.S. government viewed as a point of potential friction between the United States and foreign countries".

The New York Times

Only a few tribes and towns have continued to observe this Qaysī-Yamanī division a pre-Islamic split that was once an important, although broad, source of social identity as well as a point of social friction and conflict.

Britannica

Obama took care to emphasize that he believed there was no time for a deal, given the complicated and "painstaking" process of negotiating on a point of considerable friction between the two countries.

Los Angeles Times

But the uproar points to a classic point of friction in a globalised age.

The Guardian - Opinion

The vote on the nonbinding resolution, a perennial point of friction addressing a dark, century-old chapter of Turkish history, was 23 to 22.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a point of friction" to clearly identify a specific issue or situation causing disagreement or tension between parties. This phrase is useful in analytical and descriptive writing where you need to pinpoint sources of conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "a point of friction" when describing problems that are not directly related to interpersonal or intergroup tension. For example, a malfunctioning machine is not "a point of friction"; it's a technical problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a point of friction" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific area or issue causing tension or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a point of friction" is a useful phrase to describe a specific issue or situation causing disagreement or tension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, and its purpose is to identify and highlight sources of conflict. While not extremely frequent, it is a valuable term for analytical and descriptive writing. Consider related phrases like "a source of discord" or "a bone of contention" for conveying similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Avoid using it in contexts where the problem is not directly related to interpersonal or intergroup tension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a source of discord

Highlights the disagreement and lack of harmony.

a bone of contention

Emphasizes the subject of a dispute or argument.

an area of conflict

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical space where opposition exists.

a matter of dispute

Directly refers to something being contested or debated.

a cause for disagreement

Highlights the reason behind a lack of consensus.

a source of tension

Indicates underlying stress or strain in a relationship or situation.

a sticking point

Implies an obstacle that prevents progress or agreement.

a sensitive issue

Highlights a topic that requires careful handling to avoid conflict.

an area of contention

Similar to "area of conflict" but emphasizes active arguing.

a potential conflict

Focuses on the possibility that the tension will increase

FAQs

How can I use "a point of friction" in a sentence?

You can use "a point of friction" to describe a specific issue or situation causing tension or disagreement, such as: "The differing opinions on the new policy became "a point of friction" between the departments."

What's a good alternative to "a point of friction"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a source of discord", "a bone of contention", or "an area of conflict".

Is "point of friction" formal or informal?

"Point of friction" is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall tone of your writing than the phrase itself.

What is the difference between "a point of friction" and "a point of contention"?

While both phrases refer to areas of disagreement, "a point of friction" emphasizes the tension and strain resulting from the disagreement, whereas "a point of contention" highlights the disagreement itself as something being argued over.