be in tension with

USAGE SUMMARY

"be in tension with" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a state of having competing opinions, emotions, or ideas that push against each other. For example, "I find myself in tension with my mother and father's opposing views on politics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

This guidance appears to be in tension with that.

The Guardian

He will be under intense pressure in the new year to run the House in a more democratic fashion than Boehner did, and to deliver significant policy victories for conservatives, two goals that can be in tension with one another.

The New Yorker

That view seemed to be in tension with the stance of President Obama, who cautioned in a letter last week that countries should not move too quickly to cut their stimulus efforts.

The New York Times

That these are intricate and sometimes problematic, that they might be in tension with, even contradict, each other, that we must do considerable analytic and  philosophical work in their explication does not cancel out their equal profundity — equal to religion, that is —  in justifying human rights.

The New York Times

The questions of euthanasia and assisted suicide involve several important Buddhist values which may be in tension with each other.

SEP

It is often assumed that cosmopolitanism must necessarily be in tension with more local attachments to friends, family or compatriots.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The court wrote that Google's proposed definition of "radio communication" was "in tension with how Congress — and virtually everyone else — uses the phrase".

The New York Times - Tech

Who is? Human beings are made up of many different values and sometimes those values are in tension with each other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both virtues are in tension with compassion, and even more with the sentimentality that often mistakes itself for compassion.

The New York Times

The moral ethos of sport is in tension with the moral ethos of faith, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim.

The New York Times

The moderate sees three big needs that are in tension with one another: inequality, debt and low growth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be in tension with" to express a state where two or more ideas, forces, or entities create a sense of strain or opposition. Ensure the context clearly identifies what is causing the tension.

Common error

Avoid using "be in tension with" when a stronger term like "conflict" or "contradiction" is more appropriate. "Tension" suggests a strain or potential for conflict, not necessarily a full-blown opposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in tension with" functions as a relational phrase that highlights a state of discord or strain between two or more entities or ideas. It indicates a potential for conflict or a situation where elements are not in harmony. Ludwig confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be in tension with" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where ideas, forces, or entities create a state of strain or opposition. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. While similar to "be in conflict with", it conveys a more nuanced relationship, suggesting underlying strain rather than outright conflict. It is frequently found in academic writing, news reports, and professional communications. As the examples in Ludwig demonstrate, it is important to ensure that the context clearly identifies what is causing the tension and that a stronger term like "conflict" or "contradiction" is not more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in conflict with

This alternative directly replaces "tension" with "conflict", suggesting a stronger opposition.

be at odds with

This idiom suggests disagreement or opposition, but it might imply a more active disagreement than mere tension.

be in contradiction with

This alternative implies a logical inconsistency, a stronger relationship of incongruence.

be incompatible with

Highlights an inability to coexist or function together harmoniously.

clash with

This option suggests a more forceful and direct opposition or disagreement.

be inconsistent with

This suggests a lack of uniformity or agreement, often used in formal contexts.

stand in opposition to

This signifies a clear and direct stance against something.

contrast with

This indicates a difference or dissimilarity that might not necessarily be a conflict.

run counter to

This suggests that something opposes or goes against something else.

differ from

This phrase simply means to be different, which may or may not involve tension.

FAQs

What does "be in tension with" mean?

The phrase "be in tension with" indicates a state where two or more things create a sense of strain or opposition. This tension might not be an outright conflict, but rather a state of unease or potential disagreement.

How can I use "be in tension with" in a sentence?

You can use "be in tension with" to show how different ideas or concepts create strain or disagreement. For example: "The company's short-term goals "are in tension with" its long-term vision."

What are some alternatives to "be in tension with"?

Alternatives include "be in conflict with", "be at odds with", or "clash with depending on the context".

Is it more accurate to say "be in conflict with" or "be in tension with"?

"Be in tension with" suggests a potential or underlying conflict, while "be in conflict with" indicates an active and direct opposition. The better choice depends on the specific situation you're describing.