Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
contested argument
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"contested argument" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an argument that has been disputed or challenged. For example: "The contested argument between the two sides has been ongoing for many years."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Science
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
In many cases Mr. Kagan seems to be referring to Francis Fukuyama's frequently disputed thesis that liberal democracy will inevitably triumph around the world, or the psychologist Steven Pinker's also contested argument that violence has fallen drastically over thousands of years, but he does not always identify them or their followers by name.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
As such, this monograph illuminates the accepted understandings, contested arguments, and the substantial gaps in understandings that remain.
Academia
At Friday's summit he contested arguments that arms supplies would go to the wrong people, saying "that is what has happened already" and queried whether arming the opposition would hamper the prospects of a political settlement.
News & Media
Billed by Republican leaders of the select House committee investigating the Benghazi attacks as a critical moment in its inquiry, the long-awaited appearance by Mrs. Clinton, the leading Democratic presidential candidate, served largely as a replay of highly contested arguments from previous congressional hearings, press examinations and Sunday-morning talk shows.
News & Media
That night, at a press conference, they strongly contested arguments that they had not proved the drugs were safe.
News & Media
But in the same article, another student, Terry Harlin, contested that argument.
News & Media
In a Washington Post story, Thomas Burke, a Harvard Medical School professor and emergency physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, contested the argument that IV hydration or feeding would be, as Hayden put it, "dangerous with a non-cooperative detainee".
News & Media
She said she was spending Wednesday locked in private meetings with interested parties – but she also let it be known that those interested parties were drawn from both sides of the hotly-contested argument.
News & Media
According to a much more-contested argument, advanced by the American scholar of religion Don Browning, there are some substantive universal values, such as human rights and the integrity of the global climate, that can provide a foundation for particularistic, communal ones.
Encyclopedias
Mikulak said that Damascus has blamed delays for its failure to meet deadlines on the difficulty of accessing stockpiles in contested areas — an argument he dismissed.
News & Media
If the promise is contested, a subsidiary argument kicks in: people don't understand the promise of the technology so we have to explain the wonders of the technology to them.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "contested argument" when you want to emphasize that an argument is not universally accepted and is subject to debate or challenge.
Common error
Avoid using "contested argument" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "disagreement" or "dispute" when formality isn't required.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "contested argument" functions as a noun phrase, where 'contested' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'argument'. It typically identifies a specific argument that is subject to disagreement or dispute. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Academia
30%
Science
20%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
10%
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "contested argument" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an argument that is disputed or challenged, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Though relatively rare, it appears in various reputable sources across news, academia, science, and encyclopedias. It's best suited for formal contexts where conveying the presence of debate is important. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "disputed claim" or "debatable point". While the phrase is valid, remember that choosing the best alternative will improve the message and give the correct nuance to it.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
disputed claim
Focuses on the assertion being challenged, rather than the overall exchange.
challenged assertion
Highlights the act of questioning the validity of a statement.
debated point
Emphasizes the ongoing discussion and differing viewpoints.
contentious issue
Shifts focus to the subject matter causing the disagreement.
controversial position
Highlights the divisive nature of the stance taken.
arguable case
Suggests that the argument is open to interpretation and debate.
disputable thesis
Refers to an academic argument that is open to debate and scrutiny.
questionable premise
Focuses on the underlying assumption of the argument being doubted.
opposed viewpoint
Highlights the existence of conflicting perspectives.
rejected proposition
Emphasizes that the argument has been dismissed or not accepted.
FAQs
How can I use "contested argument" in a sentence?
You can use "contested argument" to describe a point of view that is not universally accepted and is being debated. For example, "The validity of the study's conclusions remains a "contested argument" within the scientific community."
What are some alternatives to "contested argument"?
Alternatives to "contested argument" include "disputed claim", "debatable point", or "controversial issue", depending on the specific context.
Is "contested argument" the same as "controversial argument"?
While similar, "contested argument" emphasizes the act of being challenged or disputed, whereas "controversial argument" highlights the potential for strong disagreement or offense. A "contested argument" may not necessarily be "controversial", and vice versa.
When is it appropriate to use "contested argument" in writing?
"Contested argument" is suitable for formal writing, academic papers, and news articles where you need to convey that a particular argument is not universally accepted and is subject to ongoing debate or scrutiny.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested