largely contested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely contested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a topic, issue, or opinion that is widely disputed or argued against. For example: "The current election outcome is largely contested by the minority party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In comparison, the other Group prize on the first day of the meeting is largely contested by horses that have done their improving.

Independent

Reproductive Rights: Perhaps the lack of women in office led to compromises for women in Obama's historical, largely contested health care reform.

Huffington Post

One of five heavyweight bouts on Sunday's card, this matchup between Gonzaga 17-100, 12-9 UFC) and Lewis (14-4, 5-2 UFC) will be largely contested on the feet, as both fighters carry finishing rates of over 90-percent into the Octagon.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In this case, the jockeying occurs largely over contested 200-mile exclusive economic zones, guaranteed to countries by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The New York Times

His lawyers have largely not contested the evidence of his guilt, and have portrayed him at the trial as an impressionable young man used by others, who confessed immediately upon his arrest and tried to assist the investigation.

The New York Times

When a panel of the New Orleans-based U.S. Court oforppeals for the 5th Circuit largely upheld Texas' contested provisions this spring, those judges ruled that the state's law did not place an "undue burden" on the constitutional right to abortion, since women in the western part of Texas could just travel across state lines to obtain an abortion in New Mexico.

Huffington Post

But plot those on a map, and it becomes clear that with a few notable exceptions, the transfer has happened largely in areas not hotly contested with the Taliban.

The New York Times

Clarke's case that objections to the kinetic theory were based largely on scientific grounds is contested in Nyoff (1988) which contains a good treatment of the specific heats problem, and is further discussed in de Regt (1996).

SEP

While the leaders decided to agree the legal framework on the new banking supervisor by January during a fraught session that dragged on until after 3am on Friday, all other substantial and highly contested matters were left largely untouched.

The Guardian - Business

By such means, which some asset holders have contested, Miller has been largely successful, recovering billions of dollars' worth of assets and regaining control of subsidiaries in former Soviet states and elsewhere.

Forbes

Dr. Levin's letter discussed pensions at length, largely because that is the most hotly contested issue in the dispute.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "largely contested" when you want to indicate that a topic or issue is significantly disputed, but not necessarily universally so. It suggests a substantial level of disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "largely contested" as a catch-all phrase for any kind of disagreement. If the dispute is particularly heated, consider "hotly debated". If it's about factual accuracy, "disputed" or "challenged" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely contested" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is the subject of significant disagreement or dispute. This is supported by the Ludwig AI which states that the phrase is usable to refer to a topic, issue, or opinion that is widely disputed or argued against.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "largely contested" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a subject under significant dispute. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, suggesting it appropriately conveys that a matter is not universally accepted and is subject to considerable disagreement. While not an extremely frequent expression, its usage across news, media, and scientific contexts indicates its reliability. For alternative phrasings, "widely contested", "heavily disputed", and "extensively debated" offer nuanced options to refine your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Widely contested

This alternative emphasizes the breadth of the dispute, focusing on the number of people or groups involved.

Heavily disputed

This alternative highlights the intensity of the disagreement, suggesting strong opposition.

Extensively debated

This phrase suggests a prolonged and thorough discussion involving multiple viewpoints.

Broadly challenged

This option indicates that the idea or concept has been questioned and opposed by many.

Subject to considerable disagreement

This phrase emphasizes the presence of notable differences of opinion.

Hotly debated

Implies a more emotional and intense discussion compared to "largely contested".

Sharply challenged

Focuses on the directness and forcefulness of the opposition.

Open to dispute

This alternative suggests that the matter is still unresolved and subject to question.

Seriously questioned

Highlights the depth and importance of the doubts surrounding the subject.

Fundamentally challenged

This suggests that the very basis or core of something is being disputed.

FAQs

How can I use "largely contested" in a sentence?

You can use "largely contested" to describe issues or ideas that are subject to significant disagreement. For example, "The results of the election are "largely contested" by the opposition party."

What are some alternatives to "largely contested"?

Alternatives include "widely contested", "heavily disputed", or "extensively debated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "largely contested" or "widely contested"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "widely contested" may imply a greater degree of overall disagreement, while "largely contested" suggests a significant portion of the relevant parties are in dispute. Choose the phrase that best reflects the scope of the disagreement.

What does "largely contested" imply about the nature of the dispute?

The phrase "largely contested" indicates that the matter is not universally accepted and that there are substantial arguments against it. It doesn't necessarily imply the dispute is aggressive or heated, but rather that significant disagreement exists.