controversies

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "controversies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word when referring to ongoing disputes, arguments, or disagreements. For example, "The election season has been filled with controversies regarding tax policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labour's ability to hold Falkirk has been hit hard by controversies over sitting MP Eric Joyce's personal behaviour and the vote-fixing allegations that hit Labour's selection process after Joyce was forced out of the party, to sit as an independent.

The Guardian

It's amazing the way people who have no objection to a figurehead royal get annoyed any time he gets involved in controversies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Moyles has always annoyed those who didn't listen to him, but despite controversies such as his pay dispute with BBC bosses, his audience has largely seem unphased.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Other edits by lobbyists range from a computer in the offices of payday lender Wonga deleting references to "usury" from its entry, to a computer registered to the American multinational Dow Chemical repeatedly attempting to remove a large section from the company's profile detailing "controversies".

The Guardian

After controversies about blackmail plots concerning the team's captain and Twitter debates on the minimum wage, it is time for England's cricketers to do their talking on the field – starting with Friday's winner-takes-all Tri-Series match against India.

The Guardian - Sport

That way of communicating could cause controversies, too – when they performed the song that gave name to the documentary on The Word in 1992, Sparks dropped her trousers on stage, blasting her pixellated buttocks into UK homes.

The Guardian - Music

Ed Richards was speaking on Friday morning after culture secretary Maria Miller issued a final warning to the BBC Trust over its handling of several controversies, and calls from politicians and senior industry figures to hand regulation of the corporation over to Ofcom.

The Guardian

After a challenging and tumultuous period of unprecedented controversies, it may now be time for the ICC to reconsider its role as well.

The Guardian

By a bitter, depressing twist of irony the scene of the latest battleground in the Ulster loyalist marching controversies happens to be a holy place that once symbolised Protestant-Catholic co-operation.

The Guardian

Many observers rightly concluded that continuous debate – including harsh, personalised controversies – were key to the success of coming-to-terms with nazism in particular.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Jeremy Clarkson: a history of BBC Top Gear controversies Yet Clarkson, who has made an estimated £30m from the show, had built a reputation as the antithesis of the corporation man, taking apparent pride in his straight-talking ways.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "controversies", be specific about the nature of the disputes and the parties involved to provide clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "controversies" without specifying the context or nature of the disputes. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "controversies" is as a plural noun. It typically serves as the subject or object in a sentence, referring to multiple instances of public disagreement or debate, in line with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "controversies" is a commonly used plural noun that signifies prolonged public disagreements or debates. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When employing "controversies", it's essential to provide specific context to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity. Alternatives like "disputes", "debates", and "contentions" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. The word's high frequency and neutral tone make it a versatile tool for discussing contentious issues in a wide array of settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disputes

Refers to specific disagreements or arguments, lacking the implication of widespread public attention.

contentions

Highlights the presence of strong disagreement and debate.

debates

Emphasizes formal discussions or arguments, often in a public setting.

quarrels

Suggests personal or petty disagreements, less formal than "controversies".

polemics

Involves aggressive attacks on or refutations of the opinions of others.

conflicts

Focuses on the clash or struggle between opposing sides.

arguments

Highlights the presentation of reasons for or against a point.

disagreements

Indicates a lack of consensus or accord, a more general term.

clashes of opinion

Emphasizes the direct opposition of viewpoints.

contentious issues

Highlights the subject of the disagreement rather than the disagreement itself.

FAQs

How to use "controversies" in a sentence?

Use "controversies" to refer to situations with prolonged public disagreement or debate. For instance, "The company faced numerous "ethical controversies".".

What can I say instead of "controversies"?

You can use alternatives like "disputes", "debates", or "contentions" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "controversies" or "arguments"?

"Controversies" typically refers to prolonged and public disagreements, while "arguments" are specific instances of expressing opposing viewpoints. Controversies may encompass many arguments.

What's the difference between "controversies" and "contentious issues"?

"Controversies" emphasize the presence of the disagreement and attention it gets, while "contentious issues" highlights the subject matter causing the debate.