contentions

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'contentions' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means disagreements or arguments. Example: The two political candidates had many contentions during the debate about their stance on healthcare reform.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now in "The Whole Woman" she returns to an altogether less reconciled voice, writing that "It's time to get angry again".Arranged in 35 "chapterkins" and dotted every other page or so with boxed quotations, her book is less a linear argument than a boisterous town meeting of observations, contentions and biting one-liners.

The Economist

And he held out to voters the prospect that he could undo the reintroduction of an unpopular property tax and reignite growth, something he signally failed to do in the eight years between 2001 and 2011 when he held power.Some of Mr Monti's comments, obliquely countering Mr Berlusconi's populist contentions, suggest he is itching to defend his government's record.

The Economist

One of Mr Morris's contentions, remember, is that the Zionist leadership all along foresaw the need to expel the Arabs of Palestine from the areas allotted to the Jewish state under the UN's partition plan.

The Economist

In trying to justify presupposed contentions, your articles gave credence to one book about the king written by an American journalist.

The Economist

Investors were not told of Citi's role in choosing securities, nor how it stood to benefit if defaults ensued.Those contentions alone would put Citi in violation of the disclosure provisions at the heart of the 1933 Securities Act, the foundation of market regulation.

The Economist

The Israeli leader issued a tart response to the president's speech before emplaning for Washington on Thursday night.Beyond the mention of 1967 and other detailed specifics earnestly being parsed by the experts, Mr Obama's speech was striking in that it deliberately embraced and articulated the key contentions advanced by the Israeli peace camp, now in opposition to the Netanyahu government.

The Economist

One, in Rishon Lezion near Tel Aviv, ploughed through four floors of a high-rise on November 20th, doing extensive damage.Celebrations on the streets of Gaza seemed to show that domestically, at least, Hamas's contentions were widely seen as cogent.

The Economist

One of their contentions is that disputes involving the state in its role as regulator should be dealt with on the narrow, technical facts, free from political pressure.

The Economist

Equally puzzling is that the book's footnotes give no references for its most startling contentions.

The Economist

But neither of these contentions stands up.

The Economist

There is much in such contentions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contentions", ensure the context clearly identifies the subject of the disagreement or argument. Provide specific examples or evidence to support each contention.

Common error

Avoid using "contentions" without specifying the nature of the disagreements. Overgeneralizing weakens your argument and can confuse readers. Instead, provide clear and specific details about the points of contention.

Linguistic Context

The noun "contentions" primarily functions to denote points of disagreement, arguments, or assertions that are debated. As shown by Ludwig, its usage often occurs in contexts where differing viewpoints are being analyzed or contrasted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contentions" functions as a noun denoting disagreements or disputed points, often employed in formal and analytical contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in scientific, encyclopedic, and news media sources, the term highlights the existence of differing viewpoints requiring critical examination. To use "contentions" effectively, ensure clarity in specifying the subject of disagreement and avoid overgeneralization. Consider synonyms like "disputed points" or "areas of disagreement" for nuanced expression. Proper usage enhances the precision and analytical depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contentious issues

This adjective form highlights the nature of the issues.

disputed points

Focuses on the element of disagreement, highlighting specific points under contention.

areas of disagreement

Emphasizes the specific areas where opinions or viewpoints diverge.

matters of debate

Highlights the subject of debate or discussion, often implying a formal setting.

points of controversy

Stresses the controversial nature of the issues at hand, implying widespread disagreement.

arguable issues

Suggests that the issues are open to argument and not easily resolved.

conflicting views

Highlights the presence of differing or opposing viewpoints on a particular subject.

opposing arguments

Focuses on the arguments themselves, emphasizing their contradictory nature.

rival claims

Implies a competitive aspect to the disagreements, where different parties are asserting their claims.

debated assertions

Emphasizes that the issues are being debated and presented as assertions.

FAQs

How can I use "contentions" in a sentence?

"Contentions" is used to describe disagreements or arguments. For example: The political debate was filled with heated contentions about economic policy.

What are some alternatives to using "contentions"?

You can use alternatives like "disputed points", "areas of disagreement", or "matters of debate" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "contentions" and "claims"?

"Contentions" often implies a disagreement or dispute, while "claims" are assertions that may or may not be disputed. "Contentions" highlights the argumentative nature, whereas "claims" are more neutral.

How does the use of "contentions" affect the tone of writing?

Using "contentions" can create a formal and analytical tone, suitable for academic or professional contexts. It signals that there are differing viewpoints and that a critical examination is underway.