heated contention

USAGE SUMMARY

"heated contention" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you want to describe an intense, emotionally charged argument or conflict between people. For example, "The boardroom was abuzz with heated contention as the directors debated the future of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Ḥusayn-McMahon correspondence remained a point of heated contention thereafter, particularly as it related to Palestine, which the British claimed was included in the land to be set aside for the French.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These developments created heated contention among critical realists, but Roy maintained his cheerful generosity of spirit, playing an active role in the Centre for Critical Realism and the International Centre for Critical Realism, always brimming with projects, visions, and ideas.

The Guardian

The form that action should take, however, remained a point of heated contention.

Huffington Post

That could include evaluating training programs based on the test scores of K-12 students taught by their graduates, a model that provokes heated contention in the education community.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The prospect of state-directed reading has been a bone of contention for decades but arguments have been more heated since another bibliophile education secretary Kenneth Baker began laying the groundwork for the national curriculum in the mid-1980s.

The Guardian

The team is so focused on the playoffs that Coach Erik Spoelstra regularly rested his banged up stars down the stretch despite the Heat being in contention for the No. 1 seed in the East until the season's final week.

The New York Times

Those discussions could heat up during the summer if the White Sox suffer through another season out of contention.

Los Angeles Times

Conner had been in contention until two mediocre heats on Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

RAPTORS 81, HEAT 80: Toronto has moved into playoff contention -- without Vince Carter.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon signing the free agents James and Chris Bosh in 2010, the Miami Heat became the essence of microwaved title contention.

The New York Times - Sports

Running in the last of three first round heats, the Aldershot athlete dropped out of qualification contention on the final lap, finishing 12th in 4min 18.23sec, more than 14 seconds down on her personal best.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly. While "heated contention" is appropriate for formal writing, it might be overly dramatic in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "heated contention" to describe mild disagreements or simple debates. This phrase implies a significant level of animosity and conflict, so it is inappropriate for scenarios where the disagreement is not particularly intense or emotionally charged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heated contention" functions as a noun phrase, where "heated" is an adjective modifying the noun "contention". Ludwig AI confirms its validity, indicating its acceptability within the English language. It describes a state of intense disagreement or conflict.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heated contention" is a valid phrase used to describe situations of intense disagreement, often with a strong emotional charge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and while relatively rare, it appears primarily in news media and encyclopedic contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure the gravity of the situation warrants its use and consider alternatives like ""intense dispute"" or ""fierce argument"" to fine-tune your meaning. It's essential to avoid overusing it in neutral situations, as that can sound overly dramatic. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "heated contention" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heated dispute

Replaces "contention" with "dispute", while keeping "heated" emphasizing the strong emotions involved.

intense dispute

Replaces "heated" with "intense" and "contention" with "dispute", maintaining the core meaning of a strong disagreement.

fierce argument

Substitutes "heated" with "fierce" and "contention" with "argument", emphasizing the aggressive nature of the disagreement.

bitter conflict

Replaces "heated" with "bitter" and "contention" with "conflict", highlighting the negative emotions associated with the disagreement.

fierce debate

Replaces "heated" with "fierce" and "contention" with "debate", focusing on the intensity of the exchange of arguments.

acrimonious debate

Replaces "heated contention" with a more formal phrase, suggesting a sharp and angry disagreement in a structured setting.

raging controversy

Emphasizes the widespread public disagreement, using "raging" to denote intensity.

sharp disagreement

Focuses on the disagreement itself, using "sharp" to indicate the intensity of the differing opinions.

contentious quarrel

Uses "quarrel" to suggest a personal and emotional element to the disagreement.

violent disagreement

Emphasizes the potential for aggression and hostility in the disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "heated contention" in a sentence?

You can use "heated contention" to describe situations involving strong, emotionally charged disagreements. For example: "The proposal became a point of "heated contention" during the board meeting".

What are some alternatives to "heated contention"?

Alternatives include "intense dispute", "fierce argument", or "bitter conflict", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "heated contention" formal or informal?

"Heated contention" leans towards the formal side, suitable for news articles, academic papers, or professional reports where a serious tone is required. However, it's also acceptable in less formal contexts when describing a significant dispute.

What's the difference between "heated contention" and "strong disagreement"?

"Heated contention" implies a higher level of emotional intensity and potential conflict than a "strong disagreement". "Heated contention" suggests that the disagreement is causing significant friction or animosity.