is being contested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being contested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is currently under dispute or challenge, often in legal, academic, or competitive contexts. Example: "The validity of the election results is being contested by several candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It turns out that a loophole written into the law says that if a company contests a violation, while that violation is being contested it can't count toward the establishment of a pattern.

Huffington Post

Everything is being contested".

The New York Times - Sports

The man's estate is being contested by his two widows.

The New York Times

But now the jack's dominance is being contested.

The Guardian - Tech

And unlike some special House elections, this one is being contested on explicitly local issues.

The New York Times

This curious interpretation is being contested by some Colombian-American groups.

The Economist

The decision, which is being contested by MySociety, has been referred for an internal review.

The Guardian - Tech

The ownership of 290 million shares is being contested by A.I.G.

The New York Times

Even though the will is being contested, the public administrator has put the apartments up for sale.

The New York Times

Step 1: Population Growth Immigration reform is being contested against a background of an increasingly nonwhite electorate.

The New York Times

Of course this is being contested, because if you talk to anyone they'll tell you the city is a mess".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "is being contested" with a more specific alternative (such as "is being challenged in court" or "is under legal dispute") if the specific nature of the contest is important.

Common error

Avoid using "is being contested" without specifying by whom or on what basis the contest is occurring. This lack of clarity weakens the statement and leaves the reader questioning the specifics of the dispute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being contested" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is currently undergoing a process of challenge or dispute. Ludwig shows its wide usage, often highlighting situations where validity or ownership is in question.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is being contested" signifies an active state of dispute or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms that this passive construction is grammatically sound and frequently used in News & Media. The phrase often appears in contexts involving legal disputes, elections, or debates over ownership or validity. Remember to maintain clarity by specifying the actors and grounds for the contest to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your message. Consider using alternatives such as "is under dispute" or "is being challenged" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is under dispute

Replaces "contested" with "dispute", indicating disagreement or argument.

is being challenged

Focuses on the act of questioning or disputing something.

is being disputed

Similar to "is under dispute", but with a more active voice feel.

is in contention

Highlights the competitive aspect of a dispute.

is up for debate

Suggests the matter is open for discussion and argument.

is subject to challenge

Highlights the possibility or likelihood of being questioned.

is at issue

Emphasizes that the subject is a crucial point of disagreement.

is being opposed

Focuses on the act of resistance or disagreement.

is being litigated

Specifically refers to a legal dispute being handled in court.

is under appeal

Indicates that a decision is being formally challenged in a higher court.

FAQs

How can I use "is being contested" in a sentence?

The phrase "is being contested" indicates that something is currently under dispute or challenge. For example, "The election result "is being contested" by the opposition party".

What are some alternatives to "is being contested"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is under dispute", "is being challenged", or "is being disputed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "contest"?

Whether to use the active or passive voice depends on the focus. "The opposition party is contesting the election results" (active) emphasizes the party's action. "The election results "is being contested"" (passive) emphasizes the results themselves.

What's the difference between "is being contested" and "is contested"?

"Is contested" describes a general state of being disputed, while ""is being contested"" emphasizes that the dispute is currently ongoing. For example, "That theory is contested" vs. "That theory "is being contested" in court".