at strife

USAGE SUMMARY

"at strife" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where two people or groups are in disagreement or in conflict. For example, "The two countries have been at strife for decades, unable to reach a peaceful resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The border clans were continually at strife until the 18th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eventually all is righted by fairy magic, though the fairies are no less at strife.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The label accompanied a photo of a young woman whose distant, blue-eyed gaze hinted at strife of her own.

The New York Times - Books

Fathers and daughters are no less at strife until, as in a dream, all is resolved by the magic of Puck and Oberon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A year before he was charged with tax fraud, Wesley Snipes attempted to sue the producers of Blade: Trinity for $5m, hinting at strife behind the scenes.

The Guardian - Film

Another quote, from Dryden's "Cymon and Iphigenia": Love taught him shame; and shame, with love at strife, Soon taught the sweet civilities of life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Masri added that the captives "admitted carrying out killing operations in Syria and some of them acknowledged that they committed a grave mistake by believing that they were fulfilling a jihadist [duty] against an international conspiracy" aimed at strife-stricken Syria.

The Guardian

Though Amanda had hinted at school strife at times, particularly on the Internet, Mr. Cummings said the family became aware of its intensity only in recent days, as relatives began reading messages on her phone and Facebook page.

The New York Times

Lamster incorporates a wonderful cast of supporting characters — Mark Twain toasts the returning heroes at a celebratory dinner at Delmonico's — and looks at early strife between owners and players.

The New York Times - Books

Through media commentary and street protests, mainstream Egyptians have voiced outrage and disgust at the strife.

The Economist

She winds up with a mesmerizing book that warrants comparison to "The Promised Land, Nicholas Lemann's study of the Great Migration's early phase, and "Common Ground," J. Anthony Lukas's great, close-range look at racial strife in Boston.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at strife" to depict situations involving prolonged or intense conflict between parties, whether individuals, groups, or nations. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "at strife" to describe momentary disagreements or minor squabbles. This phrase is more appropriate for describing prolonged periods of conflict or deep-seated animosity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "at strife" is to act as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or noun. It indicates a state or condition of conflict or disagreement. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at strife" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a condition of prolonged or intense conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to reserve this phrase for scenarios involving significant disagreement rather than trivial disputes. It commonly appears in sources like "The New York Times" and "The Guardian", suggesting its suitability for news and analytical contexts. Alternatives such as "in conflict" or "at odds" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at odds

Indicates a state of disagreement or opposition, often implying conflicting interests or opinions.

in conflict

Replaces "strife" with the more general term "conflict", suggesting a state of opposition.

in opposition

Highlights the act of resisting or disagreeing with something, focusing on the contrasting viewpoint.

in discord

Emphasizes a lack of harmony or agreement, shifting the focus from active struggle to a state of disharmony.

in contention

Highlights the aspect of dispute or argument, suggesting a situation where parties are actively disagreeing.

in a clash

Indicates a direct confrontation or collision of opposing forces or ideas.

embroiled in conflict

Emphasizes being deeply involved in a conflict, suggesting a complex and potentially difficult situation.

in a state of friction

Highlights the tension and potential for conflict arising from opposing forces or interests.

embroiled in dispute

Similar to "embroiled in conflict", but focuses specifically on disagreement or argument as the core issue.

locked in battle

Suggests a more intense and direct form of conflict, implying a struggle for dominance or victory.

FAQs

How can I use "at strife" in a sentence?

Use "at strife" to describe a prolonged state of conflict or disagreement, as in "The two nations have been "at strife" for decades."

What phrases are similar to "at strife"?

Alternatives to "at strife" include "in conflict", "at odds", or "in discord", each conveying a slightly different nuance of disagreement or opposition.

Is it correct to say "in strife" instead of "at strife"?

While "strife" can be used with other prepositions, ""at strife"" is the more common and idiomatic expression to indicate a state of conflict.

What is the difference between "at strife" and "in conflict"?

"At strife" often implies a more prolonged and deeply rooted state of conflict compared to the more general term ""in conflict"".