contentious situations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contentious situations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe scenarios that are likely to cause disagreement or conflict among people involved. Example: "The negotiations became increasingly difficult as the parties found themselves in contentious situations over the terms of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"If you look at the proxy pipeline, he's involved with a bunch of contentious situations".

The New York Times

Given the way his England tenure became embroiled, eventually to crash and burn, in events surrounding John Terry, you may think he would want to avoid contentious situations in his new role as head coach of Russia.

The Guardian - Sport

"By that I mean more contentious situations where the ball has gone out of play and the goalkeeper is wasting time or someone goes down feigning injury, or the ball rolls off the pitch and the manager pretends to pick it up and misses it.

The Guardian - Sport

Parliamentary enclosure was used as a particularly formal type of enclosure in the most complex or contentious situations.

Journal of Historical Geography

He gave concrete examples of how to defuse tense interactions and maintain productive relationships in contentious situations in the science workplace.

Science Magazine

There is considerable interest in developing predictive capabilities for social diffusion processes, for instance to permit early identification of emerging contentious situations, rapid detection of disease outbreaks, or accurate forecasting of the ultimate reach of potentially "viral" ideas or behaviors.

Security Informatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The chaotic, contentious situation here yielded less than Mr. Obama and his allies had hoped.

The New York Times

"They've built up years' worth of connections with federal lawmakers, and that counts for something, when you know the people who are waiting for you on the other side of that door in a contentious situation," he said.

The New York Times

Pietersen, for all his brilliance down the years, has largely created his own reputation for extreme subjectivity, a near genius for seeing every contentious situation in which he has found himself entirely through the prism of his own injured feelings.

Independent

The parties involved were able to overcome this contentious situation by creating an environment for consultation and discussion between public and private entities.

European Transport Research Review

The process outlined was successful in resolving a previously contentious situation by inclusion and collaboration with the Aleuts, among others, and could be usefully applied elsewhere to complex environmental problems where severe data gaps exist.

Environmental Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex disagreement, using "contentious situations" can be more impactful than simply stating there is a disagreement. It implies a level of intensity and potential for conflict.

Common error

While "contentious situations" is acceptable in most contexts, be mindful of overuse in highly formal documents. Consider alternatives like "disputed matters" or "sensitive issues" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contentious situations" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "contentious" modifies the noun "situations". It describes scenarios characterized by disagreement or conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contentious situations" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe circumstances marked by disagreement or conflict. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable and correct. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required by the writing context and select alternative phrases like ""disputed situations"" or ""sensitive situations"" where appropriate. Understanding the nuances of the word "contentious" helps ensure effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflictual situations

Directly points to the presence of conflict or disagreement.

conflicting situations

Highlights the presence of opposing interests or viewpoints.

disputed situations

Underlines that the facts or details of the situations are being contested.

confrontational situations

Focuses on the likelihood of direct opposition or argument.

contested situations

Similar to disputed, emphasizing active opposition or challenge.

thorny situations

Emphasizes the difficulty and potential for pain or trouble in the situation.

divisive situations

Indicates that the situations cause separation or disagreement among people.

polemical situations

Highlights the controversial and argumentative nature of the situations.

sensitive situations

Highlights the need for careful handling due to potential negative reactions.

questionable situations

Suggests uncertainty or doubt about the appropriateness or morality of the situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "contentious situations" to describe scenarios where conflict, disagreement, or debate are prominent. For example, "The negotiations devolved into "contentious situations" over financial matters."

What are some alternatives to "contentious situations"?

Alternatives to "contentious situations" include "disputed situations", "sensitive situations", or "thorny situations", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "contentious situations" formal or informal?

"Contentious situations" is generally considered neutral in tone. While suitable for news articles and reports, more formal alternatives like "delicate circumstances" might be preferable in academic or business writing.

What makes a situation "contentious"?

A situation is "contentious" when it involves strong disagreement, argument, or debate. This often arises when different parties have conflicting interests or perspectives, leading to a potentially difficult or unresolved outcome.