contrived borders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrived borders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe borders that are artificially created or imposed, often lacking natural or logical justification. Example: "The region's conflicts can be traced back to the contrived borders established during colonial rule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The explanation, now, as in the past, is that North Korean misbehaviour, whether it is illegal weapons testing, contrived border incidents or ship sinkings, is automatically viewed in the wider geostrategic context of Asian security rivalry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Raymond's sensual artwork for which the artist particularly "studied popular illustrators," including pulp artist Matt Clark, whose work Raymond's male figures particularly evoke —outshone its borders and "attracted far more loyal readers than... [the] rather contrived and unconvincing adventure stories" his work depicted.

Wikipedia

The organisers in their wisdom have contrived to give the event a little bit of the atmosphere offered by border villages in Fermanagh during the Troubles.

The Guardian - Sport

Which leaves the Passage in a weird border zone – humans that are dead but undead, characters that are contrived and obvious but still entertaining, a show you might not love in style or substance but might keep watching, anyway.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"And contrived.

The New York Times - Magazine

Contrived much?

The Guardian - Music

It's contrived.

The New Yorker

Seems totally contrived".

The New York Times

This was not contrived.

The New York Times

It seemed contrived.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And it feels contrived.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contrived borders", ensure the context clearly indicates the artificial or imposed nature of the borders and their negative consequences, such as political instability or conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "contrived" excessively in your writing. While it can effectively convey artificiality, overuse can make your writing sound forced or unnatural. Use synonyms like "artificial" or "fabricated" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrived borders" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "contrived" modifies the noun "borders". It describes the nature of the borders as being artificial or deliberately created, often with negative implications, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrived borders" effectively conveys the idea of artificial or imposed boundaries, often with negative implications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and typical usage in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "artificial borders" or "fabricated borders" can be used, "contrived borders" specifically emphasizes the deliberate and potentially manipulative nature of the border creation. Understanding the connotations and contexts of this phrase allows for more precise and impactful communication when discussing geopolitical issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Artificial borders

Replaces "contrived" with a more common synonym, focusing on the artificial nature.

Fabricated borders

Similar to "artificial borders", emphasizing the constructed nature.

Imposed borders

Highlights the act of forcing the borders upon a region or people.

Artificially created borders

More explicit about the creation process.

Unnaturally drawn borders

Focuses on the act of drawing the borders and their unnatural aspect.

Politically motivated borders

Emphasizes the underlying political reasons behind the border creation.

Designed borders

Highlights the intentional design or planning behind the borders.

Invented borders

Stresses the lack of organic development of the borders.

Manufactured borders

Suggests a deliberate and systematic creation of borders.

Engineered borders

Emphasizes the calculated and strategic placement of borders.

FAQs

What does "contrived" mean in the context of "contrived borders"?

In the context of "contrived borders", "contrived" means artificially created or deliberately planned, often in a way that seems forced and unnatural. It suggests that the borders were not formed organically or based on natural divisions.

What are some synonyms for "contrived" when describing borders?

Some synonyms for "contrived" when describing borders include "artificial", "fabricated", "imposed", and "designed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can "contrived borders" lead to conflict?

"Contrived borders" can lead to conflict by arbitrarily dividing ethnic or cultural groups, ignoring natural geographic boundaries, and creating artificial states that lack internal cohesion, resulting in political instability and social unrest.

Is it always negative to describe borders as "contrived"?

Yes, describing borders as "contrived" typically carries a negative connotation. It suggests that the borders are artificial and problematic, often leading to negative consequences such as conflict or political instability. However, the degree of negativity can vary depending on the specific context.