contended the decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contended the decision" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in legal or argumentative contexts to express disagreement or challenge a decision made by a court or authority. Example: "The lawyer contended the decision made by the judge was unjust and required further review."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the same way, Clukey contended, the decision made by officials to move the women's singles start to the juniors' start not only changed their route, but also disrupted the order of the medalists.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Back in Seattle in 1947, Professor Taylor contended that the decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan had not been based on all the available evidence.

The New York Times

Those dissenting from today's ruling, led by Justice David H. Souter, contended that the decision was so imprecise that it invited discriminatory redistricting efforts by lawmakers who did not have the interests of minority voters at heart.

The New York Times

While Argentine and American investigators have long agreed that the suicide bombing was carried out by a militant from Hezbollah, Mr. Nisman, the prosecutor overseeing the case, has contended that the decision to attack AMIA, as the cultural center is known by its Spanish initials, was made at a 1993 meeting in the Iranian city of Mashhad in Mr. Rafsanjani's presence.

The New York Times

In a country known for tolerance and free medical care for all citizens, Dr. Morgentaler was for decades at the center of battles between powerful forces like the Roman Catholic Church, which opposed abortion for any reason short of saving an endangered mother's life, and women's groups that contended that the decision not to bear a child is a personal one.

The New York Times

Opposition candidates and political analysts have contended that the decision to move the elections was intended to stop the exodus of Peronist politicians who backed Mrs. Kirchner and her husband, former President Néstor Kirchner, in particular those from rural provinces where farmers have battled the national government over export taxes for more than a year.

The New York Times

They have compared Assad to Adolf Hitler, and contended that the decision facing the United States is like the one the British faced in Munich, Germany, in 1938 of whether to appease or challenge Hitler.

Los Angeles Times

They contend the Citizens United decision so clearly invalidates the Montana law that the justices should reverse the state ruling without oral argument.

The New York Times

They contend that the decision should be made by the next president.

The Guardian

We contend that the decision to prosecute Sarah was a breach of her human rights and wholly disproportionate in the circumstances of her case".

The Guardian

This was asked of Dr. Lee's lawyers: "Who do you contend made the decision to prosecute?" Mr. Holscher responded: "We know that the decision was made at the highest levels in Washington.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of "contended the decision", use stronger and more direct verbs like "challenged", "disputed", or "argued against" to express disagreement or opposition to a decision.

Common error

Avoid using "contended" directly followed by "the decision". It's grammatically awkward. Use a preposition or rephrase for clarity, such as "contended against the decision" or "contended that the decision was flawed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contended the decision" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to use "contended" as a transitive verb directly acting upon "the decision", which isn't standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contended the decision" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is not a standard construction in English. While the intention is to express disagreement or opposition to a decision, the incorrect grammar makes it unsuitable for formal or professional communication. More appropriate alternatives include phrases like "challenged the decision", "disputed the decision", or "argued against the decision". These alternatives convey the intended meaning more clearly and correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenged the decision

Replaces "contended" with "challenged", indicating a formal questioning of the decision's validity.

disputed the decision

Uses "disputed" to convey disagreement with the decision.

argued against the decision

Emphasizes the presentation of reasons against the decision.

questioned the decision

Indicates doubt or uncertainty about the decision.

objected to the decision

Shows opposition to the decision.

opposed the decision

Expresses resistance to the decision.

criticized the decision

Highlights the expression of disapproval of the decision.

protested the decision

Indicates a formal declaration of disapproval.

took issue with the decision

Implies disagreement and a desire to discuss or debate the decision.

expressed reservations about the decision

Indicates hesitations or doubts about the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "contend" correctly in a sentence related to a decision?

You can say "contend that the decision was incorrect" or "contend against the decision". The verb "contend" needs a complement to make sense.

What is a good alternative to "contended the decision"?

Alternatives include "challenged the decision", "disputed the decision", or "argued against the decision".

Is it grammatically correct to say "contended the decision"?

No, it's not grammatically correct. "Contend" typically requires a "that" clause or a preposition like "against" to connect it to the decision.

What does it mean to "contend" something?

To "contend" means to assert something as a position in an argument. It's often used when someone is disagreeing with something or arguing a point.