contentious fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contentious fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fact that is likely to cause disagreement or controversy among people. Example: "The debate over climate change often centers around the contentious fact that human activity is a significant contributor to global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trump congratulates himself as instinctively as fish shit in the ocean, but even the most contentious fact-checker would have to concur with the self-proclaimed billionaire's assessment of the polls.

Vice

The session was so contentious, in fact, that the lawyers seemed to spend as much time with the judge in sidebar conferences as they did before the jury.

The New York Times

The contentious subjects and the fact that the Theatre Royal Stratford East is a charity have led them to crowdfund for the show.

The Guardian

"It's just not true that he kept [the claims] up for five years," Christie told CNN's State of the Union, calling the matter "a contentious issue" – although in fact only a fringe group of conservatives ever embraced the so-called "birther" movement.

The Guardian

The state curricula are developed in various ways, usually by teachers and other educational administrators, occasionally with input from scholars (although this input is often after the fact and contentious, a reaction to perceived shortcomings and inaccuracies).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Morton confronts an extremely contentious issue with judicious facts and supreme insight gleaned over many years of studying geoengineering.

TechCrunch

That process, in fact, could be contentious.

The New York Times

Once this is granted, the contentious issue is not the fact of peak oil, but the imminence of it.

Independent

Questions about that problem, in fact, led to contentious exchanges yesterday between members of the 9/11 commission and the former leaders of the city's police, fire and emergency management departments.

The New York Times

Quinn's comments came as thousands of pro-labor protesters geared up for a big weekend demonstration at the Wisconsin Capitol on Saturday, despite the fact that a contentious collective bargaining bill had been signed into law.

Huffington Post

It's this dissonance that allows contentious statements to pass as established fact.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "contentious fact", ensure you provide context to explain why the fact is considered contentious. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "contentious fact" when the fact is simply complex or nuanced, rather than genuinely disputed or controversial. Using it inappropriately can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contentious fact" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "contentious" modifies the noun "fact". It is used to describe a factual statement that is subject to disagreement, dispute, or debate. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contentious fact" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, used to describe a fact that is subject to dispute or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse sources, particularly News & Media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide context and avoid overstating the level of contentiousness. Alternative phrases include "disputed fact" and "controversial fact". Understanding its proper usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disputed fact

Replaces "contentious" with "disputed", highlighting the disagreement surrounding the fact.

controversial fact

Substitutes "contentious" with "controversial", emphasizing the polarizing nature of the fact.

debatable fact

Replaces "contentious" with "debatable", indicating that the fact is open to discussion and argument.

contested fact

Uses "contested" in place of "contentious", stressing that the fact is being actively challenged.

uncertain fact

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty surrounding the fact, rather than the dispute.

questionable fact

Implies doubt about the validity of the fact.

matter of contention

Rephrases the idea to focus on the 'matter' that is contentious, rather than the fact itself.

point of dispute

Similar to "matter of contention", this highlights the disagreement surrounding the fact.

debatable point

This alternative focuses on the point/idea/concept as being debatable, rather than the fact itself.

contested point

Similar to "debatable point", focuses on the concept of the idea of a concept as being contested, rather than the fact itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "contentious fact" to describe a fact that is subject to disagreement or debate. For example, "The debate over climate change often centers around the "contentious fact" that human activity is a significant contributor to global warming."

What's a good alternative to "contentious fact"?

Alternatives include "disputed fact", "controversial fact", or "debatable fact", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "controversial fact" or "contentious fact"?

Both "controversial fact" and "contentious fact" are acceptable, but "controversial" often implies stronger public disagreement or moral opposition. The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of disagreement you wish to emphasize.

Can a fact be truly contentious if it's supported by evidence?

Even if a fact is supported by evidence, it can still be considered a "contentious fact" if there's significant opposition, denial, or alternative interpretations offered by a notable segment of the population or expert community.