arouse controversy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'arouse controversy' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to express the idea that something has caused controversy or debate. For example, "The government's plans to raise taxes have been met with criticism and have aroused controversy among citizens in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

No matter how Obama responds to the case, his decision is likely to arouse controversy.

The New Yorker

The content of the book — unplanned pregnancy, miscarriage, death — seemed likely to arouse controversy, and certain issues would have to be handled with extreme care.

The New Yorker

Galliano's stormiest time may yet be to come ��� some will read this interview as an excuse rather than explanation for Galliano's actions, while the mere mention of his name continues to arouse controversy.

Independent

In addition, a few schools anticipated that adding more evolutionary content to their curriculum would arouse controversy.

BMC Medical Education

In comparison to the 2003 survey, we found an increase in the proportion of schools in 2013 with faculty trained in evolutionary biology, devoting at least some time to teaching evolution, and reporting that adding evolutionary content could arouse controversy (Table  2).

BMC Medical Education

Forty-eight schools responded to whether adding evolution content to the curriculum would arouse controversy, 25 schools (52%) responded no; 11 (23%) said yes, but it would not pose any problems; 7 (15%) said yes, it would pose problems but they would not influence curriculum decisions; and 5 (10%) said yes, controversy could make it more difficult to add more evolution content to the curriculum.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

That the book aroused controversy is not surprising.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From the start, Arden was a figure who aroused controversy.

The Guardian

And Coors money aroused controversy when it spilled into the political arena.

The New York Times

Inevitably, Mr. Tavora's "Carmen" has aroused controversy since its premiere here in 1996.

The New York Times - Arts

The campaign to legalize gay marriage has aroused controversy across the nation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arouse controversy" when you want to emphasize that something is likely to provoke strong public disagreement or opposition. It's stronger than simply 'attracting attention'.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "arouse controversy" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Consider using alternatives like "stir up trouble" or "cause a fuss" for less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arouse controversy" functions as a verb phrase, where "arouse" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object (in this case, "controversy"). It indicates the action of initiating or provoking a state of public disagreement. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and used to express that something has caused debate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arouse controversy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that causes public disagreement or debate. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is accurate. While it can be used in various contexts, it is most frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. Its alternatives include "spark debate" and "provoke disagreement", but the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. When using "arouse controversy", be mindful of its somewhat formal tone and ensure it aligns with the overall style and target audience of your writing. The numerous examples demonstrate that "arouse controversy" is a valuable expression to indicate disagreement and public debate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provoke disagreement

Emphasizes the act of intentionally causing a difference in opinion.

spark debate

Implies initiating a formal discussion or argument, potentially less intense than "arouse controversy".

generate dispute

Focuses on the creation of a disagreement or quarrel.

ignite contention

Suggests a more forceful and sudden eruption of disagreement.

give rise to opposition

Highlights the emergence of resistance or defiance.

stir up conflict

Highlights the creation of active opposition or struggle.

set off a storm

Suggests a sudden and intense outburst of controversy, like a tempest.

foment discord

Indicates the act of instigating strife or lack of agreement, with a negative connotation.

touch off a firestorm

Implies a vigorous and intense controversy, which can be more damaging than a normal controversy.

raise hackles

Indicates annoying or angering someone, leading to controversy.

FAQs

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

Use "arouse controversy" when discussing a topic or action that is likely to cause significant public disagreement. For example, "The politician's proposal to cut social programs is expected to "arouse controversy"."

What are some alternatives to "arouse controversy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "spark debate", "ignite contention", or "provoke disagreement". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cause controversy" or "arouse controversy"?

"Cause controversy" and "arouse controversy" are largely interchangeable and have the same meaning. "Cause controversy" might be slightly more common in everyday speech, while "arouse controversy" can sound a bit more formal.

Can "arouse controversy" be used in a positive sense?

While "controversy" often has negative connotations, "arouse controversy" itself is neutral. However, it typically implies disagreement or opposition. It is not generally used in a positive sense, unless the controversy leads to a beneficial outcome.