fraught with contradiction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fraught with contradiction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, statement, or concept that is filled with conflicting elements or inconsistencies. Example: "The politician's speech was fraught with contradiction, as he promised to reduce taxes while also increasing government spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is a quest fraught with contradiction and paradox.

Harvard Business Review

Every agreement between them has been fraught with contradiction.

The New York Times - Books

Efforts to compare the strictness of gun laws and the level of violence across major American cities are fraught with contradiction and complication, not least because of varying degrees of coordination between local and state laws and differing levels of enforcement.

The New York Times

More generally, the very notion of progressive democracy is fraught with contradiction, presuming to combine reformers' celebration of "direct democracy" and their hope to achieve more-disinterested government their ambition to create a "modern" state which would seem to demand a more powerful and independent bureaucracy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His apparent demonstrations of how the common-sense view is fraught with contradiction made him an influential precursor of sophistic antilogic and eristic disputation.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Corporate Social Responsibility "is fraught with contradictions, subject to political challenges and demands deep commitment," argue José Carlos Marques and Henry Mintzberg.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is fraught with contradictions, subject to political challenges and demands deep commitment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The process of collaboration, Abele says, is fraught with contradictions and subtlety.

Harvard Business Review

Yet recognition of statelessness remains fraught with contradictions that are often Kafkaesque.

The Guardian

For Carnwath, who holds an M.F.A. from California College of Arts and Crafts (now California College of the Arts), the act of creation is fraught with contradictions.

University of California, Berkeley

The second half of his life was fraught with contradictions, as he battled other black leaders, as well as white society.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fraught with contradiction", ensure the subject of the phrase is clearly defined and the contradictions are evident to the reader. Provide specific examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "fraught with contradiction" as a generic descriptor. Always provide concrete instances of the contradictions you are referring to, otherwise, it can sound vague and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fraught with contradiction" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something as being characterized by or filled with inconsistencies and conflicting elements. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of various source examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

31%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fraught with contradiction" is a useful tool for describing situations or arguments that are full of conflicting ideas and inconsistencies. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and is most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific sources. While it's an effective phrase, it's important to provide specific examples of the contradictions you're highlighting to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "riddled with inconsistencies" or "full of conflicting ideas" can be used to convey similar meanings, but remember to choose the alternative that best fits the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

riddled with inconsistencies

Replaces "contradiction" with "inconsistencies", emphasizing a lack of alignment within the subject.

full of conflicting ideas

Uses "full of" instead of "fraught with", focusing on the abundance of opposing viewpoints.

replete with paradoxes

Substitutes "contradiction" with "paradoxes", highlighting self-contradictory elements or situations.

marked by inherent tensions

Emphasizes the presence of underlying strains and oppositions.

characterized by opposing forces

Focuses on the dynamic of conflicting elements or entities.

beset with internal conflicts

Highlights the presence of clashes or struggles within the subject.

subject to numerous inconsistencies

Focuses on the fact that the subject is prone to inconsistencies.

containing many paradoxes

Uses "containing" to suggest something houses paradoxes.

burdened by inconsistencies

Substitutes "fraught with" with "burdened by", highlighting the weight or negative impact of the inconsistencies.

presenting conflicting arguments

Focuses on the act of presenting oppositional standpoints or claims.

FAQs

How can I use "fraught with contradiction" in a sentence?

You can use "fraught with contradiction" to describe situations, arguments, or ideas that contain conflicting elements. For example: "The politician's promises were "fraught with contradiction", as he pledged to lower taxes while increasing public spending."

What are some alternatives to saying "fraught with contradiction"?

Alternatives include "riddled with inconsistencies", "full of conflicting ideas", or "replete with paradoxes", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "fraught with contradictions" or "fraught with contradiction"?

"Fraught with contradiction" is generally used when referring to a general state or situation characterized by conflicting elements. "Fraught with contradictions" emphasizes multiple specific instances of contradiction. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight a general characteristic or specific instances.

What's the difference between "fraught with paradox" and "fraught with contradiction"?

"Contradiction" refers to a direct opposition or inconsistency. "Paradox" refers to a statement that appears self-contradictory but contains a deeper truth. While both involve conflicting elements, a paradox often has a resolution or hidden meaning, whereas a contradiction is simply an inconsistency.