by dispute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by dispute" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts discussing the means or method of resolving a disagreement, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The issue was resolved by dispute, leading to a lengthy negotiation process."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But Mr. Stern's own union has been riven by dispute.

The New York Times

3,000 CLAMOR FOR CITY PAY.; December Checks Held Up by Dispute Over Depleted Fund.

The New York Times

Archives|3,000 CLAMOR FOR CITY PAY.; December Checks Held Up by Dispute Over Depleted Fund.

The New York Times

It's useful to have a lead partner with overall control to break deadlocks, counterbalanced by dispute resolution processes.

The Guardian

For a union riven by dispute, the benefit of Fehr's presence seems to be the one thing most parties agree on.

The New York Times - Sports

It was clouded by dispute over Israel's seizure of a ship carrying arms that it said were destined for the Palestinian Authority.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The powerful Anne Frank legend has been buffeted by disputes before.

The New York Times

Anti-Japanese sentiment in China is simmering, fuelled by disputes over islands in the East China Sea.

The Economist

The close of Benalcázar's life was embittered by disputes with other Spanish leaders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He staffed it with engineers, who were unencumbered by disputes over how the motor cortex functioned.

The New Yorker

OPEC, beset by disputes over production levels and prices, will meet in Geneva next week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by dispute", ensure the context clearly indicates that a resolution or outcome is achieved through the act of disputing or arguing. Consider alternatives like "through contention" or "via disagreement" for increased clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by dispute" when the dispute is merely the setting or surrounding circumstance, not the direct means of achieving a result. Instead of saying "The project was delayed by dispute", consider "The project was delayed because of a dispute" if the dispute caused the delay, rather than being the mechanism through which the delay occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by dispute" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the means or manner by which an action is performed or a situation arises. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is not standard.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by dispute" indicates that something occurs or is influenced through disagreement. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI identifies it as a less common and somewhat awkward construction. As a result, its frequency is uncommon, predominantly appearing in news and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When considering its use, ensure the dispute is the direct means by which something is achieved, and consider alternatives like "through contention" or "via disagreement" for clarity. Using precise language ensures the accurate reflection of the causal relationship between the disagreement and the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through contention

Replaces "dispute" with the synonym "contention", emphasizing the act of arguing or struggling.

via disagreement

Substitutes "dispute" with "disagreement", highlighting a lack of consensus.

amid conflict

Emphasizes the presence of active conflict during the process.

because of contention

Shifts the focus to contention as the cause or reason for something.

due to disagreement

Similar to 'because of contention', but uses 'disagreement' instead.

through wrangling

Highlights the process of arguing or debating in a complicated or prolonged way.

through discord

Replaces "dispute" with "discord", emphasizing a lack of harmony or agreement.

in the midst of conflict

More descriptive, emphasizing being surrounded by conflict.

by means of argument

Focuses on the use of argument as the method.

through debate

Highlights a formal discussion or argument.

FAQs

What does "by dispute" mean?

"By dispute" suggests that something is achieved or influenced through disagreement or contention, but it is not a commonly used phrase.

What can I say instead of "by dispute"?

You can use alternatives like "through contention", "via disagreement", or "amid conflict" depending on the context.

Is "by dispute" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "by dispute" is not a standard or frequently used phrase. It's often clearer to use alternative expressions such as "through contention".

How can I make my writing clearer when discussing disagreements?

Choose precise language that accurately reflects the causal relationship between the disagreement and the outcome. Instead of saying "The project was affected by dispute", clarify whether it was "delayed because of a dispute" or resolved "through negotiation".