bone of contention

USAGE SUMMARY

"bone of contention" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to an issue or topic that is highly disputed or argued about. Example: As the two sides argued about the new policy, it became clear that the implementation date was going to be the bone of contention.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Platforms' content moderation policies certainly remain a bone of contention for governments and lawmakers.

TechCrunch

The bone of contention?

The Guardian

There lies the bone of contention.

The New York Times - Sports

Kashmir is the major bone of contention.

The New York Times

This is our one bone of contention.

The New York Times - Style

That has always been a bone of contention for him".

The New York Times

Again, the bone of contention was the war.

The New Yorker

Airconditioning is a bone of contention among U.N. members.

The New Yorker

Paul: That was a family bone of contention.

The Guardian - Music

Tickets are a bone of contention at Country Creek.

The Guardian - Sport

The bone of contention would have been respect.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bone of contention" when you want to emphasize a long-standing and often bitter dispute, rather than a simple disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "bone of contention" for minor disagreements. It's best reserved for situations involving significant and persistent conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bone of contention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies something that is the cause of disagreement or argument. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bone of contention" is a widely used and accepted idiom that signifies a subject of ongoing disagreement or dispute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various sources, particularly in News & Media. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the persistent conflict surrounding a specific issue. While it maintains a neutral register, it is best reserved for situations involving significant and long-standing disputes, rather than minor disagreements. Alternatives such as "point of contention" or "matter of dispute" offer similar meanings but may vary in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

point of contention

Focuses more on the specific point that causes disagreement, rather than the extended conflict itself.

matter of dispute

Highlights the disputed nature of the issue, emphasizing the lack of agreement.

source of conflict

Emphasizes the origin of the disagreement, presenting it as the root cause of the conflict.

issue in question

Refers to the particular problem or subject being discussed, often implying disagreement.

subject of debate

Highlights the discussion aspect, suggesting a formal or structured argument.

area of disagreement

Directly states the lack of consensus, focusing on the specific area where opinions diverge.

point of argument

Emphasizes the argumentative nature of the issue, suggesting a strong difference of opinion.

cause of friction

Highlights the tension and strained relationship resulting from the disagreement.

sticking point

Implies an obstacle to agreement or progress, a specific issue preventing resolution.

apple of discord

A more literary and historical reference to something causing strife and rivalry.

FAQs

How can I use "bone of contention" in a sentence?

The phrase "bone of contention" refers to a subject that causes ongoing disagreement or dispute. For example, "The division of the inheritance became a major bone of contention among the siblings."

What's a simpler way to say "bone of contention"?

You can use alternatives such as "point of contention", "matter of dispute", or "source of conflict" depending on the specific context.

Is "bone of contention" formal or informal?

"Bone of contention" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it is more common in news and journalistic contexts. Its usage adds a touch of gravity to the issue being discussed.

What is the origin of the phrase "bone of contention"?

The phrase "bone of contention" originates from ancient Greek fables, where a bone thrown among dogs would spark a fight, symbolizing a cause of dispute or quarrel.