most contentious issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most contentious issues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing topics or subjects that are highly debated or controversial, often leading to strong opinions and disagreements. Example: "The debate surrounding climate change is one of the most contentious issues of our time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Now the most contentious issues will come to the forefront.

The New York Times

Among the most contentious issues will be currency.

The New York Times

But one of the most contentious issues is Iran's nuclear programme.

The Economist

But the council's divisions on the most contentious issues have not prevented responsible stewardship elsewhere.

The Economist

Lawmakers largely sidestepped the most contentious issues, at least in public.

The New York Times

One of the most contentious issues today is the disparity in regional budgets.

The New York Times

Whether or not to drink during pregnancy remains one of the most contentious issues.

Independent

He walked a fine line on some of the most contentious issues in Kenya today.

The New York Times

And it is one of the most contentious issues at this week's conference.

The New York Times

ONE of the most contentious issues in the field of AIDS is the use of condoms.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But he has also treaded into some of the most contentious issues in the region.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most contentious issues" to introduce a discussion or analysis of subjects where strong disagreements or conflicting viewpoints exist.

Common error

Avoid using "most contentious issues" without providing specific examples or context. Overgeneralizing can leave the reader unclear about the specific points of disagreement and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most contentious issues" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying specific subjects or topics characterized by significant disagreement or debate. Ludwig shows that the phrase is commonly used to introduce a discussion of topics that elicit strong opinions and opposing viewpoints.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most contentious issues" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to denote subjects characterized by significant disagreement and debate. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread usage, particularly within news and media. While alternatives like "most controversial topics" and "most disputed points" exist, the phrase remains a clear and effective way to introduce potentially divisive subjects. When using "most contentious issues", providing context and specific examples is crucial for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most controversial subjects

Replaces "issues" with "subjects", focusing on the topic rather than the conflict itself.

most debated topics

Substitutes "contentious" with "debated", highlighting the discussion-oriented nature of the issues.

most disputed points

Emphasizes the disagreement aspect using "disputed" instead of "contentious" and "points" instead of "issues".

most contested areas

Uses "contested" to denote active opposition and replaces "issues" with "areas", potentially shifting the context to more physical or abstract spaces.

most problematic concerns

Shifts the focus to the difficulty caused by the issues, using "problematic" and "concerns".

most sensitive matters

Highlights the delicate nature of the topics, using "sensitive" instead of "contentious" and "matters" instead of "issues".

most delicate questions

Emphasizes the need for careful handling, using "delicate" and "questions".

most vexed questions

Emphasizes the troubling or annoying nature of the questions being asked, replacing "contentious" with "vexed".

most polarizing topics

Highlights the divisive effect of these topics, using "polarizing" instead of "contentious".

matters of great dispute

Rephrases the concept to focus on the "dispute" itself, rather than the characteristic of the "matters".

FAQs

How can I use "most contentious issues" in a sentence?

You can use "most contentious issues" to introduce topics that are frequently debated and cause disagreement, such as: "Among the "most contentious issues" are climate change, healthcare reform, and immigration policy."

What are some alternatives to "most contentious issues"?

Alternatives include: "most controversial topics", "most disputed points", or "most sensitive matters", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "most contentious issues" or "most contentious issue"?

"Most contentious issues" refers to multiple points of disagreement, while "most contentious issue" refers to a single point of disagreement. The correct choice depends on whether you are discussing one or several items.

What makes an issue "contentious"?

An issue is considered "contentious" when it provokes strong disagreement, debate, or argument, often due to conflicting values, beliefs, or interests among different groups or individuals.