bones of contention

USAGE SUMMARY

"bones of contention" is a correct and widely used phrase in written English.
It refers to a topic or issue that causes disagreement or conflict among people. You can use it in a variety of situations to describe a contentious issue, such as: - "The decision to close the local library has been the bone of contention between the town council and the residents." - "Religion is often a bone of contention in political debates." - "The division of the inheritance has become the bones of contention among the family members." - "The new dress code policy has become a bone of contention among the students." - "The team's poor performance has been a bone of contention among the fans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

But bones of contention remain, notably insurance.

The Economist

There are other bones of contention.

The Guardian - Books

Russia's bones of contention Is a Czech era ending?

The Economist

Bones of Contention Do Our Bones Influence Our Minds?

The New Yorker

There is no shortage of potential bones of contention.

The New York Times

"I know there are some bones of contention about that".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bones of contention" to describe recurring or long-standing issues of disagreement. It suggests a persistent conflict rather than a minor misunderstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "bone of contention" when referring to multiple issues or sources of conflict. The plural form, "bones of contention", is appropriate when describing several points of disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bones of contention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the specific issues or points that are the source of disagreement or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bones of contention" is a common and correct way to describe issues that cause disagreement or conflict. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this noun phrase functions to pinpoint sources of tension and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. It appears most frequently in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects recurring or long-standing conflicts and avoid using the singular form when describing multiple issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bone of discord

Similar imagery, but emphasizes the disruptive nature of the disagreement.

area of contention

Identifies a particular field or domain where disagreement occurs.

point of disagreement

Focuses on a specific item where agreement is lacking, less intense.

point at issue

Highlights the central element that is being debated, more formal.

source of conflict

Highlights the origin of the disagreement, broader in scope.

matter of dispute

Emphasizes the contested nature of the issue, slightly more formal.

issue in question

Refers to a specific matter under consideration, neutral tone.

matter of controversy

Emphasizes the widespread disagreement and public debate.

subject of debate

Highlights the argumentative aspect of the issue, implying formal discussion.

cause for argument

Directly states the reason for disagreement, more informal.

FAQs

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

You can use "bones of contention" to describe issues that cause disagreement or conflict, as in, "The new regulations became the "bones of contention" between the company and its employees."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "bones of contention"?

Alternatives include phrases like "point of disagreement", "source of conflict", or "matter of dispute", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "bones of contention" in formal writing?

Yes, "bones of contention" is suitable for formal writing. While it employs a slightly figurative expression, its meaning is clear and widely understood in professional and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "bone of contention" and "bones of contention"?

"Bone of contention" refers to a single issue causing disagreement, while ""bones of contention"" refers to multiple issues or sources of conflict.