major bone of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major bone of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a significant issue or point of contention in a discussion or argument. Example: "The major bone of contention in the meeting was the budget allocation for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Kashmir is the major bone of contention.

The New York Times

Such figures have proved a major bone of contention.

The Guardian

Her trips to Singapore are a major bone of contention between the two camps.

The Guardian

One major bone of contention between the two was international diplomacy around the crisis in Syria.

The Guardian

This will effectively remove the major bone of contention in U.S. relations with Russia.

The Washington Post

One major bone of contention is the council's requirement that all scientists must demonstrate the potential impact of their research to secure funding.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

One of the major bones of contention is related to the hit song Rehab and the lyric concerning her father's assertion that she shouldn't go to seek help for her addictions.

The Guardian - Film

Both actually have hollow bones, but although the major bones of the tetrapods (the amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) have a hollow core, in birds the walls of the bone are very thin and the hollow spaces inside are much greater compared with other tetrapods.

The Guardian

Human protection and privacy issues are major bones of contention in Congress and federal institutions, as well as with researchers and the public.

Science Magazine

It's hard to discuss because the major bones of contention I have with the movie come towards the very end.

Huffington Post

And with Loki, we get down to the major bones of our conflict with everything that's come from Thor to Avengers to now".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major bone of contention", ensure the context is formal or semi-formal, as it is an idiomatic expression.

Common error

Avoid using "major bone of contention" for minor disagreements. The phrase emphasizes a significant, potentially irreconcilable conflict, not a trivial difference of opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major bone of contention" functions as a noun phrase identifying the primary issue causing disagreement or conflict. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, highlighting its idiomatic nature and wide acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major bone of contention" is a widely used idiomatic phrase that serves to identify the core issue causing disagreement in a variety of contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to reserve this phrase for significant disagreements rather than trivial matters, as it emphasizes a notable conflict. Alternative phrases, such as "main point of contention" or "key issue", can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main point of contention

Replaces "bone" with "point", focusing on the central issue causing disagreement.

key issue

Simplifies the idiom to a direct statement of importance.

primary source of conflict

Highlights the adversarial nature of the disagreement.

central argument

Emphasizes the logical aspect of the disagreement.

chief cause of dispute

Indicates the fundamental reason for the disagreement.

principal area of disagreement

Focuses on the specific area where opinions diverge.

core contention

Shortens the phrase while maintaining a formal tone.

major sticking point

Uses a more informal term ("sticking point") to convey the difficulty in resolving the issue.

fundamental difference

Highlights the basic differences leading to conflict.

root of the problem

Focuses on the underlying cause of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "major bone of contention" in a sentence?

You can use "major bone of contention" to highlight a central point of disagreement. For example, "The budget cuts became a "major bone of contention" between the departments."

What's a good alternative to "major bone of contention"?

Alternatives include "main point of contention", "key issue", or "primary source of conflict" depending on the context.

Is "major bone of contention" a formal expression?

"Major bone of contention" is suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts. While widely understood, it's idiomatic and may not be appropriate for highly technical or academic writing where precision is paramount.

What makes "major bone of contention" different from a simple disagreement?

"Major bone of contention" implies a significant and persistent disagreement, often one that hinders progress or resolution. It's a stronger term than a simple difference of opinion.