item of contention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "item of contention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a subject or issue that is the focus of disagreement or dispute among parties. Example: "The proposed changes to the policy became an item of contention during the meeting, leading to heated discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the years after his death, his reputation became an item of contention as former associates of his defended themselves against prosecutors under the restored democracy.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Har Homa has long been a particular site of contention.

The New York Times

Vegetables are a staple of low-carb dieting, but items like carrots or corn can be a point of contention because of their sugar content.

WikiHow

Lately, Abercrombie's "Look Policy," which governs the outward appearance of its salespeople, has been a point of contention for workers who want to wear religious items.

Huffington Post

Clothing was also a point of contention.

Independent

One possible point of contention is price.

The New York Times

Was that a point of contention?

The New York Times

Flash photography is another point of contention.

The New York Times - Arts

A big point of contention is — surprise!

The New York Times

Cigarette sales present another point of contention.

The New York Times

It became a constant point of contention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "matter of contention" might be preferable in professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "item of contention" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced terms like "point of contention" or "matter of debate" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "item of contention" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying something that is the subject of disagreement or dispute. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is valid and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "item of contention" signifies a specific subject or issue that is the cause of disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English, though its usage is relatively rare. It functions as a noun phrase, identifying a point of dispute in a clear and direct manner. While generally neutral, more formal options like "point of contention" or "matter of contention" may be preferred in some settings. Contexts include news and general discussions, with some sources being more authoritative than others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

point of contention

Replaces "item" with "point", indicating a specific matter that causes disagreement.

matter of contention

Substitutes "item" with "matter", emphasizing the issue's significance as a source of dispute.

bone of contention

Uses a more figurative term, "bone", to suggest a long-standing or deeply rooted dispute.

subject of dispute

Replaces "contention" with "dispute", highlighting the act of disagreeing.

issue in dispute

Similar to "subject of dispute", but uses "issue" to focus on a specific point of disagreement.

point of conflict

Emphasizes the clashing nature of the disagreement by using "conflict".

area of disagreement

Focuses on the lack of consensus, using a more neutral tone.

source of discord

Highlights the disharmony caused by the disagreement.

point of argument

Replaces "contention" to highlight the debate aspect.

area of controversy

Substitutes "contention" with "controversy" to highlight the divisive and often public nature of the disagreement.

FAQs

What does "item of contention" mean?

The phrase "item of contention" refers to a specific subject or issue that is the cause of disagreement or dispute.

How can I use "item of contention" in a sentence?

You can use "item of contention" in a sentence like this: "The new policy became an "item of contention" during the negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "item of contention"?

Alternatives to "item of contention" include "point of contention", "matter of contention", or "bone of contention".

Is "item of contention" formal or informal?

"Item of contention" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in some situations.