a topic of contention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a topic of contention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a subject that people feel strongly about and disagree on, and that is widely discussed. For example, "Climate change has become a topic of contention in recent years as countries struggle to agree on how to combat it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That unwelcome flood of cash has already pushed up their currencies, and the new Fed action is certain to be a topic of contention when President Obama and other leaders of the Group of 20 economic powers gather in Seoul, South Korea on Thursday of next week for a two-day summit meeting.

The New York Times

Innominate kinematic anomalies resulting in low back pain (LBP) of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) origin (SIJ-positive), has always been a topic of contention, owing to difficultly in its evaluation.

Manual Therapy

California Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown recently gave his cautious support to fracking, the toxic process via which oil and gas embedded deep within shale rock basins, made famous by the documentary film Gasland, currently a topic of contention in California.

Huffington Post

Gillum accepted a ticket to the musical "Hamilton" from an undercover FBI agent who he said he believed was a local developer, and it has been a topic of contention that DeSantis has frequently brought to the forefront of their debates.

Huffington Post

Without experiments that demonstrate deterministic origins, the biological significance of these repeat phenomena will remain a topic of contention.

Plosone

The appropriate duration of postoperative parental antibiotics has been a topic of contention [ 15, 16].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The viability of unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) as a stand-alone or temporising option for the management of gonarthrosis is a topic of considerable contention.

The Knee

Race is rarely a public topic of contention in Mexico, a country that erects monuments to its Indian forebears even as their closest descendants live in crushing poverty and illiteracy.

The New York Times

3. In groups, research and write dialogues between proponents of two competing theories on a particular topic of contention.

The New York Times

Often in shows like "Broad City" and "Be Here Nowish" and "Inside Amy Schumer," the main characters discover things about themselves through their sexuality, which is a familiar topic of contention in our country and politics today, but is completely legit.

Huffington Post

Kashmir a disputed territory between Pakistan and India, has been the main topic of contention between the two nuclear armed rivals.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, "a topic of contention" can introduce a discussion of opposing viewpoints, providing a balanced perspective.

Common error

While grammatically correct, constantly using "a topic of contention" in casual conversations can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "something we disagree on" or "a point of argument" for everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a topic of contention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific subject that is characterized by disagreement or dispute. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a topic of contention" is a grammatically sound phrase that indicates a subject is actively debated and disagreed upon. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Though not exceedingly common, it finds relevance across diverse contexts like News & Media and Science. For a touch of informality, consider alternatives like ""a point of disagreement"". While appropriate for formal writing, exercise restraint in casual speech, and don't use it too much in informal contexts to avoid sounding overly formal. This expression serves to introduce multifaceted discussions, acknowledging conflicting views on a particular subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bone of contention

Employs an idiomatic expression meaning a subject of disagreement.

a point of argument

Replaces "contention" with "argument", focusing on the act of arguing.

a point of disagreement

Directly states the lack of agreement.

a matter of debate

Substitutes "topic" with "matter" and "contention" with "debate", indicating a formal discussion.

an issue in dispute

Uses "issue" instead of "topic" and "dispute" instead of "contention", highlighting the disagreement aspect.

an area of controversy

Highlights the controversial aspect of the area or subject.

a controversial subject

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct description of the subject's nature.

a disputed question

Frames the contention as a question that is actively disputed.

a source of conflict

Focuses on the conflict arising from the topic.

a problem under discussion

Indicates that the problem is currently being discussed, implying disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "a topic of contention" in a sentence?

You can use "a topic of contention" to describe subjects that cause disagreement. For example, "Whether or not to implement the new policy has become "a topic of contention" among the team members".

What's a more straightforward way to say "a topic of contention"?

Alternatives include "a point of disagreement", "a matter of debate", or simply "a disagreement", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a topic of contention"?

It's suitable in formal writing, news reports, or academic discussions when you need to emphasize that a subject is not just discussed but actively disputed.

Is "a bone of contention" the same as "a topic of contention"?

"A bone of contention" is an idiom that carries a similar meaning, referring to a persistent source of disagreement or argument. It's generally more informal than ""a topic of contention"".