controversial about

USAGE SUMMARY

"controversial about" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is causing controversy or disagreement. Example: The politician's statement was controversial about his stance on gun control, causing heated debates among his supporters and opponents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's controversial about it?

Independent

Nothing controversial about this, surely?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nothing very controversial about that.

The Guardian - Film

There's nothing controversial about that analysis.

The Washington Post

"People thought I wanted to say something controversial about Jesus.

The Guardian - Music

There's nothing flashy about fennel, or controversial about a carrot.

The Guardian

Reality: Nothing too controversial about the first two.

MIT Technology Review

"There should be nothing controversial about this piece of legislation," he said.

The New York Times

And those are qualities we seek in our national leadership.What, exactly, is controversial about this?

The Economist

"I think that gets to be a little more controversial about upsides and downsides," he said.

The New York Times

"I don't think there's anything controversial about an education bubble," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "controversial about", ensure the context clearly identifies what aspect is causing the disagreement or debate. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "controversial about" when the topic is merely unpopular or disliked. Controversy implies a genuine debate with valid arguments on multiple sides, not just widespread disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "controversial about" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is a source of disagreement or contention. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "controversial about" effectively communicates that a subject is a source of contention or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used. This phrase commonly appears in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Alternatives such as "debatable regarding" and "disputed concerning" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings, but it is important to ensure the context aligns with the specific implication of each alternative. When using "controversial about", being specific about the source of the controversy enhances clarity and prevents misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debatable regarding

Shifts the focus to the act of debating, suggesting the topic is open to discussion and disagreement. It's more formal.

disputed concerning

Emphasizes that there are conflicting views or claims related to the subject. A more formal alternative.

contentious with respect to

Highlights the potential for argument and strong disagreement surrounding the issue. It sounds more academic.

questionable in relation to

Suggests doubts or uncertainties about the topic's validity or merit. Slightly changes the focus to validity.

divisive with regard to

Focuses on the topic's ability to create divisions and opposing viewpoints. It sounds more formal.

subject of debate concerning

Directly states that the topic is being actively debated or argued. More explicit about the debate.

under scrutiny regarding

Highlights that the topic is being closely examined and possibly criticized. Changes the focus to examination.

up for discussion in relation to

Indicates that the topic is open for conversation and different perspectives. More neutral and less intense.

at issue regarding

Identifies the specific point of disagreement or conflict. It's more direct.

cause for disagreement about

Highlights the topic as a source of conflict or differing opinions. More focused on the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "controversial about" in a sentence?

You can use "controversial about" to describe a subject that causes disagreement or debate, such as: "The new policy was "controversial about" its potential impact on small businesses."

What are some alternatives to saying "controversial about"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "debatable regarding", "disputed concerning", or "contentious with respect to" to express a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "controversial about"?

Yes, "controversial about" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something is causing controversy in relation to a specific aspect or topic.

What makes a topic "controversial about" something?

A topic becomes "controversial about" something when there are significant disagreements, conflicting opinions, or ethical concerns related to a particular aspect of it.