in contentious cases

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in contentious cases" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to situations or legal matters that are disputed or controversial. Example: "The court often sees a rise in appeals in contentious cases where the initial ruling is heavily contested."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The ICJ's jurisdiction in contentious cases is founded upon the consent of the particular states involved.

Britannica

"A properly conducted and resourced inquest, as shown by the Tomlinson and 7/7 inquests, plays a key role in scrutinising the role of the state in contentious cases and in upholding public health and safety," said Deborah Coles, co-director of campaign group Inquest.

The Guardian

The persecution of Christians in Pakistan has been driven by multiple factors: the country's blasphemy laws that are used to target Christians by implicating them in contentious cases, the proliferation of militant networks that have religious minorities in their crosshairs, and ingrained discrimination in society and the workplace.

The Guardian

The aim is to give the UK courts and Parliament - rather than European institutions - the final say in contentious cases.

BBC

As often happens in contentious cases, Kennedy looks poised to be the deciding vote in Fisher.

Huffington Post

Special masters are not common, but they're also not unheard-of in contentious cases like this one.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As China seeks increasingly to "set the parameters of acceptable discourse" in global affairs, especially with regard to its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, the words of the normalization communique may still become potent weapons of statecraft, diplomatic ammunition in a potential (if contentious) case for sovereignty should Beijing ever decide to force the issue of reunification with Taiwan.

The Washington Post

In especially contentious cases, where there are Emergency Motions that need to be filed in a timely manner, lawyers with flat fees could be hesitant to take action, since they would likely be exceeding their flat fees and essentially losing money.

HuffPost

Mr. Clement, at a briefing at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group, said the justices will most likely be cautious in granting contentious cases until they are back at full strength.

The New York Times

Chace takes us with him through his decades in education--his expulsion from college, his boredom and confusion as a graduate student during the Free Speech movement at Berkeley, and his involvement in three contentious cases at Stanford: on tenure, curriculum, and academic freedom.

Princeton University

"That is, I don't think a legal judgment, in and of itself, produces much of anything in the most contentious cases.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation, ensure that "in contentious cases" accurately reflects that a dispute or controversy is an integral part of the scenario, not just a possible side effect.

Common error

Avoid using "in contentious cases" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "in disputed matters" or "in controversial situations" for everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in contentious cases" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by providing context about the circumstances surrounding the cases. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used when referring to situations or legal matters that are disputed or controversial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

27%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in contentious cases" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe situations or legal matters that are disputed or controversial. As Ludwig AI suggests, it’s usable in written English and suitable for emphasizing conflict or disagreement. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic and encyclopedia sources, indicating a formal to neutral register. While semantically sound, this phrase would be considered "Uncommon". Alternatives such as "in disputed cases" or "in controversial cases" can be used for similar meanings. When writing, remember to reserve "in contentious cases" for formal or professional contexts where a clear emphasis on dispute or controversy is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in disputed cases

Replaces "contentious" with "disputed", suggesting a situation where facts or interpretations are contested.

in controversial cases

Substitutes "contentious" with "controversial", emphasizing the potential for public debate or strong disagreement.

in contested cases

Replaces "contentious" with "contested", indicating that the cases are being actively challenged or opposed.

in litigious cases

Replaces "contentious" with "litigious", which highlights the propensity of the cases to result in lawsuits.

in debated cases

Suggests cases are subject to formal discussion or argument.

in cases of conflict

Highlights the presence of opposing interests or disagreements within the cases.

in cases under dispute

Emphasizes that the cases are currently being questioned or challenged.

in cases of disagreement

Focuses on the lack of consensus or alignment in the cases.

in problematic cases

Highlights cases that present difficulties or complications.

in complex disputes

Emphasizes the intricate and multifaceted nature of the disputes.

FAQs

How can I use "in contentious cases" in a sentence?

You can use "in contentious cases" to refer to situations or legal matters that are disputed or controversial. For example, "The court often sees a rise in appeals "in contentious cases" where the initial ruling is heavily contested."

What phrases are similar to "in contentious cases"?

Alternatives to "in contentious cases" include "in disputed cases", "in controversial cases", or "in litigious cases", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "in contentious cases" over simpler alternatives?

Use "in contentious cases" when you want to specifically highlight the presence of strong disagreement or controversy, particularly in formal or professional contexts. Simpler alternatives might suffice for general communication.

What is the difference between "in contentious cases" and "in controversial cases"?

While both phrases indicate disagreement, "in contentious cases" emphasizes the presence of active dispute or argument, while "in controversial cases" highlights the potential for public debate or strong disagreement.