cause for controversy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause for controversy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, topic, or action that leads to disagreement or debate among people. Example: "The new policy introduced by the government has become a cause for controversy among citizens and lawmakers alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Another cause for controversy is that the congress has abandoned the struggle for reproductive rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

Movies about Jesus are always cause for controversy, but this one has outdone them all.

The New York Times

While that work alone isn't cause for controversy, Facebook's work with Republican groups does call into question the ongoing narrative that Facebook operates with an anti-conservative bias.

TechCrunch

Why is the mere mention of Israel cause for controversy?

Huffington Post

-- Writer Linda Fairstein has a bestselling book series, but her past as a prosecutor overseeing the Central Park Five case is cause for controversy.

Los Angeles Times

Finally, they each issued press releases reiterating that the Vatican was now in full possession of all materials related to the Shroud of Turin, intimating that any cause for controversy was now past.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Another cause for this controversy was that Midge did not initially have a wedding ring, but this was later fixed.

Wikipedia

My background in conflict resolution teaches me to "aim for the heat" and to cause "good controversy". Not controversy for controversy's sake, but rather a willingness to broach hot button issues that people care about.

Forbes

"Minister Yu offered to step down, taking responsibility for causing controversy over the issue of hiring his daughter," the ministry spokesman, Kim Young-sun, said in a statement.

The New York Times

While MC Bin Laden's name may suggest a dangerous individual with a penchant for causing controversy, he is far from it.

Vice

His first solo album, She Must and Shall Go Free (2003) is notable for causing controversy in Contemporary Christian Music circles; some Christian retailers refused to stock the album for its use of "strong" language.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause for controversy", ensure the context clearly identifies what the source of the controversy is. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "cause for controversy" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "source of contention" or "matter of debate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause for controversy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific instigator or origin of disagreement. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing varied situations, from political decisions to artistic works, that generate debate. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause for controversy" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively identifies the origin of a disagreement or debate. While deemed correct by Ludwig AI, its frequency is uncommon. It appears mostly in news, science and encyclopedic contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount; specify the source and nature of the controversy. While valid, avoid overuse by considering alternatives like "source of contention". Overall, it serves a vital function in analytical writing, pinpointing the factors leading to conflicting opinions in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

source of contention

Highlights the point of disagreement or struggle.

point of conflict

Directly indicates an area of opposition or struggle.

issue of contention

Similar to source of contention, but framed as a specific issue.

reason for dispute

Focuses on the disagreement itself, rather than the instigating factor.

area of discord

Emphasizes the lack of harmony and agreement.

subject of disagreement

Highlights the lack of consensus on a specific topic.

matter of debate

Emphasizes the discussion and differing opinions surrounding the issue.

trigger for debate

Focuses on the act of initiating discussion.

center of argument

Directly points to what the dispute is about.

bone of contention

An idiom that signifies a persistent and significant point of disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "cause for controversy" in a sentence?

You can use "cause for controversy" to describe a situation, action, or topic that leads to disagreement or debate. For example: "The government's new policy has become a "cause for controversy" among citizens".

What can I say instead of "cause for controversy"?

Alternatives to "cause for controversy" include "reason for dispute", "source of contention", or "matter of debate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "reason for controversy" similar to "cause for controversy"?

Yes, "reason for controversy" is very similar to "cause for controversy". Both phrases indicate something that initiates or explains why a disagreement or debate is occurring.

What's the difference between "cause for controversy" and "source of controversy"?

The terms "cause for controversy" and "source of controversy" are often interchangeable. However, "cause" can imply a direct instigator, while "source" might refer to a more general origin or underlying factor.