contend about

USAGE SUMMARY

"contend about" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to have a disagreement or argument about something. It is often used when discussing differing opinions or viewpoints. Example: The two politicians contended about the best way to address the issue of immigration. In this sentence, "contend about" is used to show that the politicians have different opinions and are discussing or debating them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But it speaks volumes, the residents contend, about disparities in living standards that are related to the color of one's skin.

The New York Times

In 100 days in 1994, prosecutors in Arusha contend, about 7 out of 10 of Rwanda's Tutsis were wiped out with a brutal efficiency.

The New York Times

At most, they contend, about $50 million could be redirected to the general fund by eliminating a little more than 1,600 unfilled positions.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Could it really be, as Smith contends, about free speech as imagined by a movement whose members routinely threaten journalists with death and make no secret of their desire to silence political opponents?

Huffington Post

Jewish groups abroad contend that about 400,000 of the Soviet Union's 1.7 million Jews still want to be reunited with relatives abroad.

The New York Times

There have already been disputes over textbooks on Venezuelan history, which critics contend were about to be rewritten to suit Mr. Chavez's views.

The New York Times

Before that can happen, however, the company must contend with about 60 shareholder lawsuits and investigations of its accounting by the Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Congress.

The New York Times

KEY ADDITIONS -- Ordonez, Troy Percival KEY LOSS -- Eric Munson KEY TO SEASON -- At the rate the Tigers are going, signing one major free agent a year, they should contend in about 10 years.

The New York Times

That alone should guarantee some opposition, but there is a more basic scepticism to contend with about the poor as "welfare cheats" who can't be trusted to make decisions.

The Guardian - Opinion

The charges contend that about $5.3 million of that amount was profit.

Forbes

Just last month, the Union of Concerned Scientists published a report that said by 2030 Miami will contend with about 45 "sunny day floods" per year as opposed to the six they deal with today.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contend about", ensure the context clearly indicates a disagreement or dispute. This phrase works best when different parties are asserting conflicting viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "contend about" when simply describing a situation without conflicting viewpoints. Opt for phrases like "discuss" or "consider" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "contend about" is as a verb phrase. It signifies the act of arguing or disputing a particular subject. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in contexts involving disagreements or conflicting viewpoints.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contend about" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express disagreement or dispute, as confirmed by Ludwig. While it appears less frequently than other similar phrases, it is suitable for neutral contexts where objectivity is desired. Its function is to highlight conflicting viewpoints, and it is most commonly found in news and media sources. When writing, ensure the context involves an actual dispute, and consider using alternatives like "argue about" or "dispute about" for variety. Despite being a valid phrase, its relatively low frequency suggests using it judiciously in favor of more common synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

argue about

Focuses on the act of presenting reasons for or against something, differing slightly in emphasis from merely asserting.

dispute about

Highlights the act of questioning or challenging the validity of something.

debate about

Suggests a more formal and structured discussion of differing viewpoints.

clash over

Implies a strong disagreement or conflict regarding a specific issue.

quarrel about

Indicates a more personal and emotional disagreement.

wrangling over

Suggests a prolonged and often frustrating disagreement.

bicker about

Implies a petty and trivial argument.

differ on

Focuses on the existence of differing opinions without necessarily implying active conflict.

challenge regarding

Emphasizes questioning or disputing something.

take issue with

Highlights disagreement or objection to a specific point or aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "contend about" in a sentence?

Use "contend about" to show there is a disagreement or opposing view regarding a specific subject. For example: The lawyers "contend about" the evidence presented in court.

What's a good alternative to "contend about"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "argue about", "dispute about", or "debate about" to express a similar idea.

Is it grammatically correct to use "contend about"?

Yes, "contend about" is grammatically correct and can be used to indicate a dispute or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What's the difference between "contend about" and "contend with"?

"Contend about" refers to arguing or disagreeing about something, while "contend with" means to struggle or deal with a difficulty. For example, you might "contend about" politics but "contend with" a difficult workload.