be contended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be contended" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "be content," which means to be satisfied or at ease with a situation. Example: "After years of hard work, she finally felt she could be content with her achievements."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are to be contended with".

The New York Times

Bonerman26 exists; his vileness should be contended with.

The New Yorker

The chapter highlights that the noise sources to be contended with depend on the operating frequency.

Short-range Wireless Communication Fundamentals of RF System Design and Application

Though never mastered, they can be contended with, defied, and, at least in spirit, transcended.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It also meant that Erdogan was a force to be contended with.

The New York Times - Magazine

It may, of course, be contended that Dietrich did not receive an actual benefit coextensive with McMenamy's expenditure.

Harvard University

"It's very clever and sends a clear message," he added, "that China is a force to be contended with".

The New York Times

It might be contended, by which I mean it will be contended, that Private Eye and the FT could avoid the legal costs problems they highlight if only they signed up Impress, the regulator that has secured official recogniton.

The Guardian

Now the Marcos party leaders speak of Mrs. Aquino as a political force to be contended with.

The New York Times

The protection of both amendments, it can be contended, is against the compulsory production of evidence to be used in criminal trials.

Cornell University

And it cannot be contended that in proceeding by information instead of by indictment, there is any violation of the requirement of due process of law.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, always use "be content" to express satisfaction or peaceful acceptance. Ensure your phrasing accurately reflects the intended meaning, avoiding potential confusion with the grammatically questionable "be contended".

Common error

Writers often mistakenly use "be contended" when they mean "be content". Remember that "content" describes a state of satisfaction, while "contend" means to struggle or argue. Always double-check your word choice to avoid this common error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be contended" is grammatically dubious. While seemingly intended to express a state of satisfaction, it incorrectly uses the verb "contend", which means to argue or struggle. Ludwig AI points out that it's not correct in standard written English. Examples often show its misuse, suggesting confusion with "be content".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

29%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be contended" appears frequently across various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, the correct expression is "be content", which means to be satisfied or at ease. The confusion likely stems from a misunderstanding of the word "contend", which means to argue or struggle. Despite its prevalence in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it's best to avoid "be contended" in formal writing and speech to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be content

Replaces "contended" with "content", which conveys satisfaction or peacefulness. It's a direct correction of the original phrase.

be satisfied

Emphasizes fulfillment or meeting expectations, shifting from argument to satisfaction.

be pleased

Focuses on happiness and enjoyment, rather than struggle or dispute.

be at peace

Highlights a state of tranquility and absence of conflict, differing in emotional tone from "contend".

be in agreement

Shifts the focus to consensus and shared understanding, rather than contention.

be untroubled

Implies a lack of worry or disturbance, contrasting with the effort implied by "contend".

be unworried

Highlights the absence of concern or anxiety, a state far from needing to "contend".

be comfortable

Expresses a sense of ease and well-being, diverging from the effort and conflict of contention.

be serene

Focuses on calmness and tranquility, a state of mind opposite to needing to contend with something.

be tranquil

Emphasizes peace and quiet, contrasting with the struggle associated with contention.

FAQs

What does "be contended" actually mean?

While often used, "be contended" is not a standard English phrase. It likely stems from confusion with "be content", which means to be satisfied or at ease.

Is it ever correct to use "be contended"?

In standard English, no. The proper phrase is "be content". "Contend" as a verb usually means to argue or struggle, which doesn't fit the common intended meaning.

What's a simple way to remember the difference between "be content" and the incorrect "be contended"?

Think of "be content" as being happy with your lot, while "contend" involves fighting or striving for something.

Are there situations where a form of "contend" is correct after "be"?

Yes, but in a different construction. For example, "to be contended with" means someone or something is a force to be reckoned with. However, this is different from the intended meaning of "be content".