highly controversial but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly controversial but" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a statement or opinion that is contentious or likely to provoke disagreement, followed by a contrasting or qualifying point. Example: "The proposal is highly controversial but necessary for the future of our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

President Roosevelt was highly controversial but he was shot at only at the beginning, before his policies became apparent.

The New York Times

Initially, these methods were highly controversial, but, as they were shown to be successful, they became the standard of treatment.

Britannica

Genetically modified food animals are highly controversial, but the turkey genome may also prove useful in medical research.

The New York Times - Science

The merger itself was highly controversial but coupled with United's operational woes, opposition in Congress and among consumer groups has grown stronger.

The New York Times

His work is highly controversial, but many will say the Leaders Academy has successfully intervened in the lives of many troubled youngsters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Citizens United's defense of First Amendment values remains highly controversial, but it is important to bear in mind precisely what it is about.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

This is a highly controversial position, but it really shouldn't be.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has made repeated attempts to justify the highly controversial invasion, but has conceded that, for a variety of reasons, including disputes in the Bush administration, the detail and quality of post-war planning was inadequate.

The Guardian

Powell remains a highly controversial figure, but if you want to understand the story of postwar immigration in Britain, and, arguably, postwar British politics at large, you need to read this book.

The Guardian - Books

Domestic ivory markets are a highly controversial issue, but the Cites nations agreed unanimously that every country should "take all necessary legislative, regulatory and enforcement measures to close their domestic markets for commercial trade in raw and worked ivory as a matter of urgency".

The Guardian

But charges like these are designed to put people off doing this and, in many instances, to tie them into more expensive products". Tie-in or "bundled" insurances which were a condition of signing up for the cheapest home loans were highly controversial a decade ago, but were abandoned by the major lenders following threats of legislation to ban the practice.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly controversial but", ensure that the contrasting point following "but" provides significant context or a counter-argument to balance the controversial nature of the subject. This adds nuance and prevents one-sided portrayals.

Common error

Avoid using "highly controversial but" simply as a placeholder. Make sure the 'but' introduces a genuinely contrasting or qualifying element. Without it, the phrase becomes a cliché and loses its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly controversial but" acts as a conjunction, connecting two contrasting ideas. It introduces a contentious topic or statement, immediately followed by a qualifying or opposing point. This creates a balanced view, as confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly controversial but" is a useful conjunction for introducing a divisive subject while acknowledging a contrasting viewpoint. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples across News & Media, Science, Encyclopedias, and Wiki, this phrase is commonly used to present balanced arguments. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this expression. Remember to provide significant contrast after 'but' to avoid cliché and enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very controversial yet

Replaces "highly" with "very" and "but" with "yet", maintaining a similar degree of controversy but with a slightly more formal tone.

deeply divisive but

Substitutes "highly controversial" with "deeply divisive", emphasizing the polarizing nature of the subject while keeping "but".

contentious although

Replaces "highly controversial" with "contentious" and "but" with "although", altering the flow and emphasis while retaining the core meaning.

much debated however

Uses "much debated" instead of "highly controversial" to soften the impact and employs "however" for a more formal contrast.

hotly disputed nevertheless

Emphasizes the intensity of the disagreement using "hotly disputed" and uses "nevertheless" for a stronger contrast.

extremely contentious yet

Combines "extremely" with "contentious" and "yet", amplifying the controversy while maintaining a similar structure.

significantly debated despite

Uses "significantly debated" to highlight the extensive discussion and replaces "but" with "despite" to shift the focus.

widely challenged albeit

Replaces "highly controversial" with "widely challenged" focusing on the resistance and swaps "but" for "albeit" for a more concise contrast.

disputed even so

Simplifies to "disputed" and uses "even so" for a straightforward contrast, reducing formality.

questionable regardless

Replaces "highly controversial" with "questionable", suggesting uncertainty and uses "regardless" for a resolute contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "highly controversial but" in a sentence?

The phrase "highly controversial but" is used to introduce a statement that is likely to cause disagreement, followed by a contrasting point. For example, "The policy is "highly controversial but" critical for long-term growth."

What are some alternatives to "highly controversial but"?

Alternatives include "deeply divisive yet", "contentious although", or "much debated however". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "highly controversial but" or "very controversial but"?

"Highly" and "very" are often interchangeable, but "highly" suggests a greater degree of controversy. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey. Consider the context to determine which word fits best.

What makes something "highly controversial but"?

A subject is "highly controversial but" when it provokes strong disagreement and debate, yet possesses some redeeming quality, benefit, or mitigating factor. The 'but' introduces a crucial element that prevents a completely negative assessment.