he contended that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he contended that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement or argument that someone is asserting or maintaining as true. Example: "In his essay, he contended that climate change is the most pressing issue of our time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is older teams, he contended, that win N.B.A. championships, not young ones.

The New York Times - Sports

He contended that professional medical standards precluded that course.

Harvard University

He contended that the count should restart from the beginning.

The New Yorker

But he contended that the city would be ready.

The New York Times

He contended that hanging amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

The New York Times

He contended that the rules were very difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

He contended that the ab sentee controllers were not striking.

The New York Times

And he contended that I might be right.

The New York Times

He contended that none of the money came from Inkombank.

The New York Times

He contended that the association has overcome those problems.

The New York Times - Sports

He contended that final settlement discussions were continuing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he contended that" to introduce a statement or argument that someone is asserting as true, especially when you want to convey a sense of formality or reasoned argument.

Common error

Avoid using "he contended that" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he said that" or "he thought that" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he contended that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement or argument made by someone. It signals that the person put forward a specific claim or belief, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he contended that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce someone's assertion or argument, as supported by Ludwig's analysis and examples. It is grammatically correct and very common across various domains, particularly in news and media. While suitable for formal and neutral contexts, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives in casual settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase serves to emphasize and report a viewpoint, adding a level of formality and objectivity to the reported statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he asserted that

Replaces "contended" with "asserted", indicating a strong declaration.

he maintained that

Uses "maintained" instead of "contended", suggesting a consistent and firm belief.

he argued that

Substitutes "contended" with "argued", emphasizing the presentation of reasons or evidence.

he claimed that

Replaces "contended" with "claimed", implying an assertion without necessarily providing proof.

he insisted that

Uses "insisted" instead of "contended", conveying a forceful and unwavering assertion.

he posited that

Substitutes "contended" with "posited", suggesting a proposition or hypothesis put forward for consideration.

he proposed that

Replaces "contended" with "proposed", indicating a suggestion or plan put forward for consideration.

he suggested that

Uses "suggested" instead of "contended", conveying a milder form of assertion or recommendation.

he submitted that

Substitutes "contended" with "submitted", implying a formal presentation of an argument or belief.

he declared that

Replaces "contended" with "declared", indicating an emphatic and formal announcement.

FAQs

What does "he contended that" mean?

The phrase "he contended that" means that someone asserted or maintained a particular viewpoint or argument, often in a formal or argumentative context. It indicates that they put forward a claim that they believe to be true.

What can I say instead of "he contended that"?

You can use alternatives like "he argued that", "he asserted that", or "he claimed that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he contends that"?

Yes, "he contends that" is the present tense form and is grammatically correct. "He contended that" is the past tense form and is used to describe something someone argued in the past.

How does "he contended that" differ from "he suggested that"?

"He contended that" implies a stronger, more forceful assertion of a point of view, whereas "he suggested that" indicates a milder, more tentative proposal or recommendation.