controversial stance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "controversial stance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a position or opinion that is likely to provoke disagreement or debate among people. Example: "The politician's controversial stance on climate change has sparked heated discussions among voters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It is a controversial stance.

The Guardian

But its controversial stance has hit revenues at home in the Middle East.

The Guardian - Business

Alongside the controversial stance on EU migration, a major part of that process will be a new position on the economy.

The Guardian

Pékerman's most controversial stance to date remains the 2006 match against Germany in Berlin in which he left a young Messi on the bench.

The Guardian - Sport

Tony Blair has vindicated his controversial stance as Europe's leading hawk and some of the tarnish has been cleared from President Clinton's historical legacy.

The Guardian

And Mr Noda is deeply concerned about Japan's fiscal health, not flinching from his bold but controversial stance in favour of higher taxes.The new prime minister is also a foreign-policy hawk.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Not that the film itself is taking any controversial stances on American foreign policy.

The New York Times

On Friday, Ms. Quinn's spokesman sought to underscore her willingness to take controversial stances on principle.

The New York Times

But, unlike so many of them, Tebow shows little interest in using his pulpit to take controversial stances.

The New York Times - Sports

Ungar-Sargon investigates the steps that Boteach took to reach these heights, including some controversial stances, questionable practices, and a little-known family history.

The New Yorker

"You don't have to go deep here," the aide said, referring to controversial stances and personal baggage from Mr. Gingrich's past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "controversial stance" when you want to describe a position that is likely to generate strong disagreement or opposition. Be prepared to provide evidence or reasoning to support the stance.

Common error

Avoid using "controversial stance" without explaining why the stance is controversial. Provide enough background information to help your audience understand the differing viewpoints and potential consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "controversial stance" functions as a noun phrase, where "controversial" modifies the noun "stance". As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a particular viewpoint or position that is likely to provoke disagreement or opposition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "controversial stance" is a commonly used phrase to describe a position or viewpoint that is likely to provoke disagreement or debate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. It frequently appears in news media, encyclopedias, and science-related articles. While the phrase itself is neutral, it implies a situation where opinions differ significantly, and the topic being discussed can be sensitive. When using the phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to explain why the stance is considered controversial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contentious position

Replaces "controversial" with "contentious", emphasizing the likelihood of argument or debate.

debatable standpoint

Uses "debatable" and "standpoint" to highlight that the position is open to question and discussion.

disputed view

Emphasizes that the view is actively challenged or disagreed with.

polarizing opinion

Highlights the division and strong disagreement caused by the opinion.

divisive viewpoint

Similar to "polarizing opinion", emphasizing the separation and disagreement the viewpoint creates.

unpopular perspective

Focuses on the lack of widespread support for the perspective.

provocative argument

Suggests the argument is intended to elicit a strong reaction, possibly disagreement.

questionable assertion

Implies doubt or uncertainty about the validity of the assertion.

radical outlook

Indicates the outlook deviates significantly from conventional or mainstream thinking.

challenging perspective

Highlights the difficult or unsettling nature of the perspective.

FAQs

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

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

What's the difference between "controversial stance" and "contentious position"?

While both phrases describe a position likely to cause disagreement, "contentious position" emphasizes the argument or debate itself, while "controversial stance" highlights the divisive nature of the opinion.

What can I say instead of "controversial stance"?

You can use alternatives like "debatable standpoint", "disputed view", or "polarizing opinion" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to have a "controversial stance"?

Not necessarily. A "controversial stance" can be negative if it's based on misinformation or prejudice. However, it can also be positive if it challenges harmful norms or advocates for important social change.