contentious stance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'contentious stance' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to describe an opinion or point of view that is controversial or widely disputed. For example, "The politician took a contentious stance on the issue of gun control, which caused a lot of controversy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Adobe, for one, is taking a more "contentious" stance in favor of the digital approach with a new web video ad that features a monkey in conversation with a horse (what else?).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But for all the contentious stances he has taken, Pamuk rarely deals with political issues head-on in his fiction, and he has even been criticised by his natural supporters, who claim the distancing effect of some of his postmodernist techniques has made his work too apolitical.

The Guardian - Books

Einhorn, a Cornell graduate whose trademark is a willingness to take unconventional and contentious public stances, impressed many sports bankers and colleagues with his offer's creativity.

The New York Times

• Einhorn is known for his willingness to take unconventional and contentious public stances, which is exactly what the Mets need right about now.

The New York Times - Sports

He argues that the brain is armed with mechanisms for clearing the tau protein and that the reason it doesn't in people with Alzheimer's disease is because the protein is protecting the neurons.His stance is contentious.

The Economist

Yet it is easy to see how Kluwe's impassioned (and profane) stance on a contentious public issue may have made some of the business people in the Vikings organization uneasy.

The New Yorker

Putting itself in line with the Bush administration's stance on a contentious environmental issue, the Army Corps of Engineers said today that it would recommend against breaching four large hydroelectric dams on the Snake River in eastern Washington State.

The New York Times

Well, publicly taking an unfavorable stance on a contentious political debate does not mix well with business models based on individual donor and shareholder contributions.

Huffington Post

During the campaign, however, Ms. Park stuck to Mr. Lee's stance on the most contentious issue of large-scale investment, which the North considers crucial.

The New York Times

The outspoken MVP of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals has inserted himself into the contentious debate surrounding Chick-fil-A's public stance against gay marriage.

Huffington Post

Still, McGrath doesn't seem afraid to take on some of his most contentious policies ― especially when she can tie her stances to her military experience.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "contentious stance", provide context on why the stance is controversial and who holds opposing views. This will help readers understand the full scope of the issue.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "contentious", which means causing or likely to cause an argument, with "contented", which means happy and satisfied. Using the wrong word can completely change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contentious stance" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "contentious" modifies the noun "stance". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and describes an opinion or point of view that is controversial or widely disputed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contentious stance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a position that is likely to provoke disagreement or argument. According to Ludwig AI, it’s considered correct for use in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively communicates the controversial nature of a viewpoint. While it is correct and used in various contexts, be mindful to differentiate it from similar-sounding words like "contented" to avoid miscommunication. Understanding its nuances and using it appropriately can enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disputed position

Replaces "contentious" with "disputed" and "stance" with "position", focusing on the disagreement surrounding it.

controversial viewpoint

Substitutes "stance" with "viewpoint", emphasizing a particular way of thinking that causes argument.

debatable standpoint

Replaces "contentious" with "debatable" and "stance" with "standpoint", highlighting the argument around the position.

arguable opinion

Swaps "contentious" with "arguable" and "stance" with "opinion", suggesting a subjective belief open to discussion.

disputable claim

Replaces with similar terms, showing that the idea is contested and might not be true.

polemical attitude

Replaces with similar terms, making the idea even more negative.

provocative posture

Changes both words to give a feeling that someone is trying to anger or get a reaction.

challenging perspective

Replaces "contentious" with "challenging", indicating a viewpoint that questions established norms.

unsettled conviction

Replaces "contentious" with "unsettled", suggesting a belief that is not yet fully resolved.

contested belief

Replaces "stance" with "belief", emphasizing personal faith or opinion, but replacing "contentious" with similar idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "contentious stance" to describe a position that is likely to cause disagreement or argument. For example, "The politician's "contentious stance" on immigration reform sparked a heated debate".

What's a less formal alternative to "contentious stance"?

For a less formal alternative, you could use phrases like "controversial opinion" or "disputed viewpoint". These options convey a similar meaning but are less formal.

Is there a difference between "contentious stance" and "controversial stance"?

While very similar, "contentious stance" emphasizes the likelihood of causing argument, whereas "controversial stance" highlights the existence of strong disagreement. The phrase "controversial stance" suggests a well-established dispute, not necessarily that an argument is ongoing or immediately likely to start.

What are some synonyms for "contentious" to use with "stance"?

You can replace "contentious" with words like "debatable", "disputable", or "arguable" to describe a "stance". For example "debatable stance", "disputable stance" or "arguable stance".