contentious discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contentious discussion" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a conversation or debate that is filled with disagreement, arguments, or controversy. Example: The meeting turned into a contentious discussion as the group members could not reach a consensus on the proposal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

As already discussed, there is a contentious discussion within EBM as well concerning what one "may" or "should" with justification call "evidence-based".

BMC Medical Ethics

The issue of diversity on Madison Avenue has been the subject of contentious discussion for decades.

The New York Times

The Herald portrayed the conversation as a shakedown; the notes suggest a contentious discussion.

The New Yorker

After contentious discussion, the authors decided against publishing recipes for lethal drug cocktails.

The New York Times - Science

In a contentious discussion, his aide, Mr. Flynn, persuaded the federal prosecutors to halt their investigation.

The New York Times

Elected officials throughout Brazil are also engaged in a contentious discussion over the distribution of oil royalties.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The more contentious discussions were around Mr. Obama's plan to restrict proprietary trading.

The New York Times

Questions of representation were also recurring throughout the semester, sometimes leading to contentious discussions.

University of California, Berkeley

Change means contentious discussions: Don't shy away from the inevitable.

The Guardian

Dutch citizens and politicians continued their contentious discussions about policies and attitudes toward minorities, immigrants, and asylum seekers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Amid contentious discussions in Congress over immigration, one point of wide agreement is that an evaluation of border security will be a central piece of any comprehensive bill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contentious discussion" to clearly convey that a conversation involves significant disagreement or controversy. It's appropriate when describing debates in politics, ethics, or any field where opinions strongly diverge.

Common error

Avoid using "contentious discussion" when a simpler term like "debate" or "argument" suffices. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or dramatic. Consider if the level of disagreement truly warrants such a strong descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contentious discussion" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "contentious" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "discussion". Ludwig examples show it's used to describe events characterized by strong disagreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

13%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contentious discussion" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a conversation marked by significant disagreement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is fit to describe any conversation or debate that is filled with disagreement, arguments, or controversy. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, but also appears in scientific and academic contexts. Alternatives such as "thorny discussion" or "heated debate" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, remember to consider whether the level of disagreement truly warrants such a descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contentious debate

Substitutes "discussion" with "debate", emphasizing a formal argument.

contentious conversation

Substitutes "discussion" with "conversation", implying a more informal exchange.

contentious dialogue

Replaces "discussion" with "dialogue", suggesting a more structured conversation.

thorny discussion

Replaces "contentious" with "thorny", implying a difficult and complex issue.

adversarial discussion

Uses "adversarial" instead of "contentious", highlighting the opposing viewpoints.

contentious deliberation

Replaces "discussion" with "deliberation", emphasizing careful consideration amidst disagreement.

polemical discussion

Replaces "contentious" with "polemical", suggesting a strong, often controversial, argument.

heated exchange

Uses a different structure to convey strong disagreement, focusing on the intensity of the interaction.

spirited debate

Emphasizes the energy and passion involved in the disagreement.

sensitive discussion

Replaces "contentious" with "sensitive", emphasizing the delicate nature of the topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "contentious discussion" to describe any situation where there's a significant disagreement. For example: "The board meeting devolved into a "contentious discussion" about budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "contentious discussion"?

Some alternatives include "heated debate", "thorny discussion", or "spirited argument", depending on the specific context and intensity of the disagreement.

What makes a discussion "contentious"?

A discussion becomes "contentious" when strong disagreements arise, opinions clash, and the participants are highly invested in their viewpoints, often leading to heated exchanges and difficulty in reaching a consensus.

Is "contentious discussion" formal or informal?

"Contentious discussion" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for news articles, academic papers, and professional settings, but might sound somewhat out of place in casual conversation.