points of contention

USAGE SUMMARY

"points of contention" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a disagreement between two or more parties. Example: The proposed plan caused many points of contention between the two sides.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are still points of contention.

The New York Times

There were a few points of contention.

The New York Times

There have been other points of contention as well.

The New York Times

The recent points of contention, he said, were "different".

The New York Times

He did not describe the points of contention.

The New York Times

There were several points of contention right from the start.

The Guardian

Points of contention are quality, dating and provenance.

The Guardian

And there were some bigger points of contention.

The New York Times

Prebuilding eliminates some points of contention, he said.

The New York Times

There are still many unsettled points of contention, however.

The New York Times

That cleared up two big points of contention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "points of contention", ensure clarity about the parties involved and the specific issues causing the disagreement. Providing context strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

While "points of contention" is widely accepted, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "disagreements" or "issues" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "points of contention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and can be used in written English to denote disagreements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "points of contention" is a grammatically sound and widely used noun phrase that refers to specific issues causing disagreement or conflict. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in science and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's best to use simpler alternatives in very casual settings to maintain a natural tone. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide clear context regarding the involved parties and the issues at hand. As an alternative, you can use synonyms like "bones of contention" or "matters of dispute".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bones of contention

Replaces "points" with "bones", emphasizing the source of the disagreement.

matters of dispute

Substitutes "points" with "matters" and "contention" with "dispute", focusing on the disagreement itself.

issues in conflict

Replaces "points" with "issues" and "contention" with "conflict", highlighting the conflicting nature of the disagreements.

areas of disagreement

Emphasizes the specific areas where disagreement exists, rather than the contention itself.

subjects of debate

Shifts the focus to the debated nature of the points, rather than the inherent conflict.

sources of friction

Highlights the frictional or strained relationships caused by the points of disagreement.

disputed issues

Adjective form focusing on the disputed nature of the issues.

contentious issues

Adjective form using "contentious" to describe the issues.

undefined

Slightly different nuance, emphasizing the controversial aspect of the points.

matters at issue

Focuses on the specific issues that are currently under consideration or debate.

FAQs

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

You can use "points of contention" to refer to specific issues that cause disagreement. For example, "The budget cuts became major "points of contention" during the negotiations".

What are some alternatives to "points of contention"?

Alternatives include "bones of contention", "matters of dispute", or "issues in conflict", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "points of contention" formal or informal?

"Points of contention" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though slightly more common in formal writing and speech. Consider your audience and the overall tone when deciding whether to use this phrase.

What's the difference between "points of contention" and "areas of disagreement"?

While similar, "points of contention" emphasizes the conflicting nature and potential for argument, whereas "areas of disagreement" simply highlights the existence of differing opinions without necessarily implying conflict.