contentious decisions

USAGE SUMMARY

"contentious decisions" is an appropriate phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a decision that is likely to cause a disagreement or argument. For example: The board of directors made a contentious decision to close the local factory.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That will make contentious decisions even harder.

The Economist

Both men have staked their reputations on contentious decisions in this series.

The Guardian - Sport

At Wikipedia, contentious decisions are made by a process of elaborate discussion culminating in administrative fiat.

The Guardian - Tech

Now count how many replays there are of the game's contentious decisions – sped up, slowed down and debated.

The Guardian - Sport

Masutha has had to preside over some hugely contentious decisions over the course of his relatively short tenure.

The Guardian

Northern Ireland operates a distinctive "power-sharing" system of Government where contentious decisions are supposed to be taken with consent of both nationalist and unionist parties.

Independent

However, Cisse insisted he and his team-mates will swallow their disappointment and do everything they can to ensure those contentious decisions do not prove too costly.

Independent

Both of those were contentious decisions and it would have been fascinating to see the process by which they were made.

The Guardian - Sport

The referee has history with City, after some contentious decisions in the 3-2 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield last season.

The Guardian - Sport

Politically contentious decisions on clinical thresholds for accessing services and support will no longer land in the lap of Westminster politicians.

The Guardian

Among the most contentious decisions was his choice for shadow chancellor, opting for his close ally and fellow radical MP John McDonnell, rewarding him for the role he played as his campaign manager during the the leadership election.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics, use "contentious decisions" to objectively describe choices that are likely to cause disagreement or debate. It avoids taking a stance on whether the decision is right or wrong.

Common error

Avoid using "contentious decisions" simply to indicate that decisions were difficult to make. "Contentious" specifically implies that the decisions are likely to cause disagreement or argument, not just that they were challenging to reach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contentious decisions" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "contentious" modifies the noun "decisions". It describes decisions that are likely to cause disagreement or argument, adding a layer of evaluation to the nature of those decisions. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contentious decisions" accurately describes choices prone to sparking disagreement or debate. As Ludwig AI clarifies, its grammatical status is correct, and it is frequently employed across various fields, notably news media, academia, and sciences. Analysis reveals its neutral tone, making it appropriate for diverse communication contexts. To enrich your writing, consider synonyms such as "disputed choices" or "controversial rulings" for similar but nuanced expressions. Remember to use the phrase when decisions genuinely ignite opposition, avoiding overuse for mere difficulty. The data from Ludwig highlights the breadth of use and semantic precision associated with this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disputed choices

Replaces "contentious" with a synonym that emphasizes disagreement or debate over the selections made.

controversial rulings

Focuses on formal or authoritative decisions that provoke strong opposition or dissent.

debatable judgments

Highlights the aspect of decisions open to questioning and argument.

disagreement-inducing calls

Emphasizes the decisions' capacity to create conflicting views.

unsettled conclusions

Emphasizes that the decisions made have not led to an agreement.

polemical determinations

Highlights decisions of an aggressively controversial nature.

thorny choices

Focuses on the problematic and difficult aspect of the selections.

divisive calls

Emphasizes the capability of the decisions to separate people and generate opposing sides.

arguable conclusions

Emphasizes that the decisions can be convincingly disputed.

challenging judgments

Highlights decisions that have to stand up to opposition and criticism.

FAQs

How can I use "contentious decisions" in a sentence?

You can use "contentious decisions" to describe choices that are likely to cause disagreement. For example: "The council's "contentious decisions" regarding the new zoning laws sparked public protests".

What are some synonyms for "contentious decisions"?

Alternatives to "contentious decisions" include "disputed choices", "controversial rulings", or "debatable judgments", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What makes a decision "contentious"?

A decision is "contentious" when it is likely to provoke strong disagreement, argument, or controversy. This often happens when the decision affects different groups of people in different ways, or when it involves conflicting values or principles.

Is it better to avoid making "contentious decisions"?

While it's important to consider the potential for disagreement, avoiding "contentious decisions" altogether isn't always possible or desirable. Sometimes, making difficult choices is necessary to achieve important goals, even if it means facing opposition. The key is to make decisions thoughtfully, transparently, and with respect for different viewpoints.