had a conflict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a conflict" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a situation where two or more individuals or parties have opposing views, opinions, or goals, leading to disagreement or tension. Example: Jack and Jill had a conflict over which movie to watch.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Wisler had a conflict with the party.

The New Yorker

The Merrill broker did not think he had a conflict.

The New York Times

We certainly weren't close, but we never had a conflict".

The New Yorker

Christian had a conflict with Mr. V., who he thought disliked him.

The New York Times

Taylor told me that he and Payne have "never really had a conflict.

The New Yorker

TfL said suggestions that De Cani had a conflict of interest were "completely unfounded".

The Guardian

As for Kretzer, he had a conflict of interest because his job was to work effectively with Volberding.

The New Yorker

"If you had a conflict with a colleague and it had to be worked out, what did you do?

The New York Times

The arrangement was called off because Thomas, as the coach at Florida International University, had a conflict of interest.

The New York Times - Sports

The documents say Ms. Waters knew as soon as this meeting ended that she had a conflict of interest.

The New York Times

The lobbyists also charged that Dr. Russell, who helped start Project BioShield, had a conflict of interest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal texts or reports, try replacing the phrase "had a conflict" with "encountered a dispute" or "faced opposition" to sound more formal.

Common error

Avoid using "had a conflict" in excessively casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "disagreed" or "argued" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a conflict" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of disagreement or opposition between two or more parties. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts, highlighting its role in describing disputes or clashes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had a conflict" is a versatile expression used to describe a state of disagreement or opposition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its frequency is considered "very common", with primary usage in news and media, wiki, and science contexts. While appropriate for general use, consider more formal alternatives like "encountered a dispute" in professional settings. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its diverse application, reinforcing its role in reporting and explaining contentious situations. Pay attention to the context to ensure clarity regarding the involved parties and the nature of the conflict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a disagreement

This is a more neutral alternative, simply stating that there was a difference of opinion.

were at odds

This phrase emphasizes the state of disagreement and being in opposition to each other.

experienced a dispute

This alternative suggests a more formal disagreement, implying a specific issue under contention.

clashed with

This alternative highlights the direct confrontation or collision of opposing views or interests.

were in contention

This suggests a more active and ongoing state of disagreement, often involving competition.

encountered discord

This alternative highlights the lack of harmony and the presence of friction between parties.

were in opposition

This emphasizes a formal or ideological disagreement, often in a political or strategic context.

faced opposition

This focuses on the resistance one party encountered from another, indicating a power dynamic.

locked horns

This idiom suggests a direct and intense confrontation or struggle between parties.

had a falling out

This suggests a breakdown in a relationship due to a disagreement or conflict.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "had a conflict"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "encountered a dispute", "faced opposition", or "were at odds" to convey a similar meaning with greater formality.

How does "had a conflict" differ from "had a disagreement"?

"Had a conflict" implies a more significant and potentially ongoing disagreement, while "had a disagreement" suggests a simpler difference of opinion that may be easily resolved.

What are some less formal alternatives to "had a conflict"?

In less formal settings, you can use phrases such as "clashed with", "argued with", or "didn't see eye to eye" to convey the same idea in a more relaxed manner.

Is it correct to use "had a conflict of interest" instead of "had a conflict"?

"Had a conflict of interest" is a specific type of conflict where someone's personal interests could potentially bias their decisions or actions. While it's related to "had a conflict", it has a distinct and specific meaning.