central conflict

USAGE SUMMARY

"central conflict" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a main struggle or issue in a narrative. For example, "The central conflict in the novel is the protagonist's struggle to break away from her oppressive family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These deeply conflicting worldviews drive the central conflict in the fight over gun control".

Huffington Post

What's your central conflict?

WikiHow

"It has a very good central conflict," she says.

The Economist

And the action itself conveys the central conflict.

The Guardian

But the central conflict is between Weidmann and Draghi.

The Guardian - Business

Mostly she feels like a bystander in the central conflict.

The New York Times

But the central conflict of Ellison's narrative might be framed as conscience versus cupidity.

The New York Times - Books

So the architects of the report have skipped neatly around this central conflict.

The New York Times

The central conflict involves Nikole (brunette, pushy, mean, she-devil) and Mandy (blond, prim, needy, doormat).

The New York Times - Arts

When the central conflict eventually clarifies, it's somewhat disappointing that it is a 9/11 allegory.

The New Yorker

The central conflict in the novel is actually between Eva and her husband.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "central conflict" to clearly identify the primary point of contention in a narrative, situation, or analysis to provide focus and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid solely focusing on the "central conflict" to the exclusion of other relevant issues; acknowledging secondary conflicts can add depth and nuance to your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central conflict" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence to identify the main point of contention or struggle within a narrative, situation, or argument, according to Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

12%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "central conflict" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to identify the primary struggle or issue in a narrative, situation, or argument. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Academia contexts. While interchangeable with phrases like "main conflict" or "core conflict", it's important to focus on the core issue while acknowledging other secondary issues to add depth to your analysis. As per Ludwig's examples, the phrase is versatile and appropriate for a wide range of analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main conflict

Focuses on the primary nature of the conflict.

core conflict

Emphasizes the conflict's fundamental aspect.

primary struggle

Highlights the active nature of the conflict as a struggle.

chief antagonism

Uses a more formal term for opposition.

key contention

Highlights the point of disagreement.

major dispute

Emphasizes the significance of the conflict.

principal issue

Shifts focus to the main problem or concern.

critical clash

Highlights the decisive nature of the conflict.

focal point of conflict

Focuses on conflict as a point of convergence or attention.

underlying tension

Highlights the subtle and persistent nature of the conflict.

FAQs

How to use "central conflict" in a sentence?

You can use "central conflict" to describe the main struggle in a story, argument, or situation. For example: "The "central conflict" in the novel is between the protagonist and society."

What can I say instead of "central conflict"?

You can use alternatives like "main conflict", "core conflict", or "primary struggle" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "main central conflict"?

Yes, saying "main central conflict" is generally redundant. The term "central" already implies the main or most important conflict, so adding "main" is unnecessary.

What's the difference between "central conflict" and "minor conflict"?

The "central conflict" is the primary and most important struggle or issue in a narrative or situation, while a "minor conflict" is a secondary, less significant issue that may contribute to the overall narrative but does not drive the main plot or argument.