is under contention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is under contention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic, issue, or situation that is being disputed or debated. Example: "The proposed policy change is under contention among the board members, leading to heated discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The exact number of children is under contention.

The New York Times

Suppose what is under contention is a mental state like pain.

SEP

But much more is under contention than the health risks of one chemical.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But what's not under contention is the fact that roughly 140 acres of federal land were scorched in a blaze that was started by two ranchers who, as of Monday evening, are now behind bars in federal prison.

Vice

So Kuhn's paradigm is still under contention.

The New York Times - Books

When the subject matter is itself under contention then controversies may erupt [ 2- 6].

BMC Genomics

At the seed stage, a large proportion of the variation is under maternal control which supports the contention that the genotype of the individuals also has an important influence on seed germination.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Down the stretch of the 36-hole event, Trey was under par and in contention for one of three spots at the 2009 Open at Bethpage Black.

The New York Times

"It became very clear that the overwhelming point of contention was under what circumstances could a name be associated with anonymous Web activity," Mr. O'Connor said.

The New York Times

However, a more extreme drift model is plausible, since this role for selection assumes that all modifications are under strong selection, a contention which has not been demonstrated.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Once again he is in contention, currently at two-under through 8. — GEORGE BRETHERTON An Australian has never won the Masters, but you don't need to be a Greg Norman fan to know there have been some close calls, especially in recent years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is under contention" when you want to emphasize that a specific point is currently being actively disputed or debated. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject of the contention is.

Common error

Avoid using "is under contention" without clearly specifying what is being disputed. Ensure the subject of the contention is explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding text to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is under contention" functions as a predicative expression indicating that a particular subject is currently being disputed or debated. As seen in the Ludwig examples, the phrase is frequently used in formal contexts to denote disagreement over facts or ideas, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is under contention" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is currently being disputed or debated. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is more common in news, media and scientific publications. While not exceedingly frequent, its use is consistent and appropriate in formal contexts. Related phrases such as "is in dispute" or "is being challenged" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings. When using "is under contention", it is essential to specify clearly the subject of the dispute to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in dispute

Emphasizes a formal disagreement or questioning of something.

is contested

A more concise way of saying something is actively being disputed.

is disputed

Indicates a disagreement exists about the veracity or validity of something.

is being challenged

Highlights the act of someone actively questioning or contesting something.

is being debated

Focuses on the process of formal discussion and argument surrounding a topic.

is a matter of debate

Positions the topic as one that is inherently debatable or uncertain.

is at issue

Highlights that something is the central point of disagreement.

is open to question

Suggests that something is not definitively settled and can be doubted.

is subject to argument

Implies that something is likely to be argued or contested.

is questionable

Suggests uncertainty or doubt about the validity or truth of something.

FAQs

What does "is under contention" mean?

The phrase "is under contention" means that something is currently being disputed or debated. It indicates a lack of agreement or certainty about a particular point or issue.

How can I use "is under contention" in a sentence?

You can use "is under contention" to indicate that a specific issue is being disputed. For example: "The exact number of children is "under contention"." or "Whether this chemical is dangerous to humans is "under contention"."

What are some alternatives to "is under contention"?

Some alternatives to "is under contention" include "is in dispute", "is being debated", and "is being challenged". The best alternative will depend on the specific context.

Is "is under contention" formal or informal?

"Is under contention" is generally considered to be relatively formal. In more informal contexts, you might use phrases like "is up for debate" or "is being argued about".