major contention

USAGE SUMMARY

"major contention" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a sentence to describe a significant disagreement or argument between parties. Example: One of the major contentions in the debate was over the government's role in regulating the economy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Public-sector pensions are a point of major contention.

The New York Times

Whether this means farmers can look forward to better prices for the liquid milk they supply to make cheese - a bone of major contention - remains unclear.

Independent

Thoren's major contention is that most women could benefit from moving their bindings forward two centimeters, which would better enable them to balance and pressure the ski tip -- basic tenets of agile skiing.

The New York Times - Sports

(Some intelligent design advocates fit here. (Dembski, 2002, Meyer, 1998) However, the major contention of present interest involves (e).

SEP

A major contention that motivates this thesis is that irreversible cessation of brain function will quickly lead to irreversible loss of cardiopulmonary function (and vice versa).

SEP

The first of these theses was a point of major contention in 17th-century natural philosophy and one assailed by Newton's critics such as Leibniz, Huygens, and Berkeley.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

One of TKT's major contentions is that Amgen's patent claims are overly broad and should not extend to human cells.

The New York Times

"It's the first time I was in a major in contention," said Levet, a 35-year-old from Paris who is three-time winner on the European Tour.

The New York Times - Sports

Election officials also countered another major Republican contention: That the so-called "butterfly" ballot that is believed to have caused so much confusion in Palm Beach County was used here in the presidential election in 1996.

The New York Times

One major bone of contention is a provision that would require agencies to put the contents of every funded proposal on a government-wide website.

Science Magazine

Kashmir is the major bone of contention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major contention," ensure that the context clearly identifies the parties involved and the specific issue they are disputing.

Common error

Avoid using "major contention" for minor disagreements or trivial disputes. This phrase implies a significant and consequential point of conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major contention" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a significant point of disagreement or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major contention" is a frequently used phrase denoting a significant disagreement or point of conflict. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing and discussions. The phrase appears commonly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, highlighting its relevance in reporting and analyzing complex issues. While alternatives like ""key disagreement"" or "central dispute" exist, "major contention" effectively conveys the importance and substantial nature of the disagreement, marking it as a key element in understanding the issue at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key disagreement

Focuses on the disagreement itself, emphasizing its importance.

primary conflict

Highlights the conflicting nature of the issue.

central dispute

Emphasizes that the dispute is at the core of the matter.

main point of issue

Directly points out the issue that is being contended.

significant controversy

Highlights the controversial nature of the contention.

bone of contention

A more idiomatic expression for a cause of disagreement.

matter of debate

Suggests a formal or structured discussion about the issue.

area of disagreement

A more general term for any point where parties do not agree.

source of friction

Highlights the tension and potential conflict arising from the contention.

point of conflict

Directly states the existence of a conflict on a particular matter.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "major contention" in a sentence?

To use "major contention" effectively, ensure the sentence clearly identifies what the disagreement is about and who is involved. For example, "A "key disagreement" between the parties is the allocation of resources".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "major contention"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "central dispute", "significant controversy", or "bone of contention".

Is it appropriate to use "major contention" in informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "major contention" is more suited for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, simpler terms like "big argument" or "main issue" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "major contention" and "minor disagreement"?

"Major contention" refers to a significant and important point of disagreement that often has substantial consequences. A "minor disagreement", on the other hand, is a smaller, less consequential difference of opinion.