it was disputed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was disputed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation or claim that has been challenged or questioned by others. Example: "The findings of the research were significant, but it was disputed by several experts in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was disputed in March 2003.

The Guardian

After it was disputed, the inspector general repeatedly reduced the recovery demand, eventually settling for $521,291, less than 5 percent of the initial finding.

The New York Times

Thereafter it was disputed among the Byzantines, Arabs, and Armenians until taken by the Seljuq Turks in 1071; it prospered in the early 13th century under Seljuq sultans.

Britannica

It was Arithmetic, it was Mottled, it was Disputed, it was Multiply Inhabited, it was Multi-million-year Safe, and it was Godded".

The Guardian - Books

The judges said it was disputed whether he had travelled directly to Sudan from the UK or whether he went via Somalia with two "extremist associates, where he engaged in terrorism-related activities linked to al-Shabaab".

The Guardian

It was Arithmetic, it was Mottled, it was Disputed, it was Multiply Inhabited, it was Multi-million-year Safe, and it was Godded". This means, as Banks evinces an infectious delight in explaining, that the planet is a series of concentric shells held up by massive towers, with internal suns rolling across each ceiling, and a different species of lifeform living on each level.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The previous day Natura, a direct-sales cosmetics firm, said it was disputing 630m reais in federal sales taxes.

The Economist

Legally, this may be right, though it is disputed.

The Economist

It is disputed whether a sphincter at the ductus venosus inlet actively regulates blood flow.

Early Human Development

Second, it is disputed that teleological entities, goals, can be aggregated to higher level ones, purposes.

Interacting with Computers

O.K. Well, I think it is disputed, Justice Pariente.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was disputed", ensure you provide context about who disputed it and the basis of their disagreement for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was disputed" without clarifying who raised the dispute. Always specify who disputed the claim to provide a complete and credible picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was disputed" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a previous assertion or claim has been challenged or questioned. It's commonly used to introduce conflicting perspectives or to highlight a lack of consensus, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was disputed" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that a claim, fact, or idea has faced disagreement or questioning. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific literature. The phrase serves to introduce uncertainty and conflicting viewpoints, prompting further scrutiny. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's essential to provide context about who raised the dispute and why, ensuring clarity and credibility in writing. Alternatives like "it was contested" or "it was challenged" offer nuanced alternatives based on the nature of the disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was contested

Replaces 'disputed' with 'contested', implying a formal challenge or argument.

it was challenged

Substitutes 'disputed' with 'challenged', suggesting a questioning of validity or correctness.

it was questioned

Replaces 'disputed' with 'questioned', indicating doubt or uncertainty about something.

it was debated

Uses 'debated' instead of 'disputed', implying a formal discussion or argument with opposing viewpoints.

it was argued against

Replaces 'disputed' with a phrase indicating direct opposition or disagreement.

it was subject to debate

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the disagreement or discussion surrounding the topic.

there was disagreement about it

Shifts the focus to the presence of disagreement rather than the act of disputing.

the matter was in contention

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal expression indicating a state of dispute.

there were conflicting views on it

Highlights the existence of opposing viewpoints regarding the subject.

the point was under contention

A more formal way of saying that a specific point was being disputed or argued about.

FAQs

How can I use "it was disputed" in a sentence?

Use "it was disputed" to indicate that a statement, fact, or idea has been challenged or questioned. For example, "The claim that the Earth is flat "it was disputed" by scientists."

What are some alternatives to "it was disputed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was contested", "it was challenged", or "it was questioned", each conveying a similar sense of disagreement or uncertainty.

Is it better to say "it was disputed" or "it was challenged"?

Both "it was disputed" and "it was challenged" are correct, but "it was challenged" often implies a more formal or direct confrontation than ""it was disputed"".

What's the difference between "it was disputed" and "it was refuted"?

"It was disputed" means the claim was questioned or argued against, while "it was refuted" indicates the claim was proven to be false or incorrect with evidence.