at dispute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at dispute" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "in dispute," which is used to indicate that something is being questioned or contested. Example: "The terms of the contract are currently in dispute between the two parties."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Look at dispute resolution.

Harvard University

What is at dispute is how closely the new show hews to the "Rain" formula.

The New York Times

Under the agreement, Brinkley will give Cook $2.1 million but keep 18 properties in the Hamptons that were at dispute.

Independent

At dispute in the second-degree murder trial is whether Hayes legitimately feared for his life in a post-collision confrontation with Smith and others.

The Guardian - Sport

Sources close to Harman were claiming on Monday: "We have won on every substantive issue at dispute between the two sides in the past week, apart from exemplary damages.

The Guardian

Anthony Douglas, chief executive of Cafcass, said: "We are looking to put in place a more universal service so that people don't automatically think first of having a [courtroom] fight but will have a try at dispute resolution".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Rumours hint at disputes among the top brass over these appointments.

The Economist

I look at disputes before and after I mix them up.

The New York Times

A modern-day proponent of old-fashioned optimism, he offers training sessions for 8 to 10 students aimed at disputing negative thinking.

The New York Times

In its current form, Google Japan looks more like a portal site than any other version worldwide, a product strategy obviously aimed at disputing Yahoo's standing.

TechCrunch

In fact, indigenous communities became, in the words of García Martínez (1977), experts at disputes, both legal and extralegal, which sometimes even led to violence; according to Viceroy Enríquez, disputes were the main weapon of indigenous communities.

Latin American Economic Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the phrase "in dispute" instead of "at dispute". The preposition "in" correctly indicates that something is currently under discussion or being contested.

Common error

Avoid using "at" when you mean "in" to describe something being contested. Saying something is "at dispute" is grammatically incorrect and can confuse your readers. Always double-check your preposition choice for accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at dispute" functions as a prepositional phrase that attempts to modify a noun by indicating a state of disagreement or contention. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI notes, the correct phrasing is "in dispute".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at dispute" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct and widely accepted alternative is "in dispute", which indicates that something is currently being questioned or contested. Ludwig AI highlights this distinction and the examples showcase the correct usage in various contexts, primarily within news and academic sources. To avoid errors, always use "in dispute" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing. Remember the alternatives under contention or in question can also be used to provide more stylistic variation, but "in dispute" remains the standard and safest choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in dispute

Corrects the grammatical error by using the proper preposition.

under dispute

Emphasizes that the subject is currently being disputed.

in contention

Replaces 'dispute' with 'contention', indicating a state of argument.

under contention

Highlights that the matter is actively being argued.

in question

Indicates the matter is being doubted or challenged.

being debated

Focuses on the active process of debate about the subject.

under consideration

Suggests the issue is being thought about and examined.

subject to debate

Highlights the characteristic of the issue that it is debatable.

in litigation

Indicates the issue is part of an ongoing legal process.

a matter of debate

Emphasizes the fact that this is an issue subject to different opinions.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the phrase to indicate something is being contested?

The correct phrase is "in dispute", not "at dispute". For example, "The contract terms are "in dispute"."

What are some alternatives to "in dispute"?

You can use alternatives such as "under contention", "in question", or "being debated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "in dispute" and "under dispute"?

While both phrases are similar, "in dispute" is more common. "Under dispute" can emphasize that the subject is actively being argued or contested.

Which phrase is grammatically correct, "at dispute" or "in dispute"?

"In dispute" is the grammatically correct phrase. "At dispute" is generally considered incorrect in standard English.