profound conflict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound conflict" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep or significant disagreement or struggle, often in a philosophical, emotional, or social context. Example: "The novel explores the profound conflict between individual desires and societal expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Naess believed that the two outlooks could coexist, but Watson argues that they are in profound conflict.

The New Yorker

What is known about Enron's partnership arrangements so far, he said, reveals an even more profound conflict between management and shareholders.

The New York Times

While news outlets love access to insiders, Mr. Rove's two roles seemed to be in profound conflict after Fox's decision desk projected that the president had won Ohio, all but guaranteeing him re-election.

The New York Times

Just as 19th-century Mormons found themselves in profound conflict with the United States over the issue of polygamy, so could the theologically grounded commitment of today's LDS church to one-man-one-woman marriage place its members on a collision course with the 21st-century American mainstream, which increasingly accepts same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

Add to this the ongoing rate of habitat destruction — including deforestation, often for fuel but usually for producing more food — and other threats like the growing production of biofuels, and it is hard to argue that there isn't a profound conflict between what our species will need to survive by 2050 and the needs of nearly every other species on this planet.

The New York Times

"There is a profound conflict of interest built into the industry's structure," he wrote, "one that grows out of the fact that the management companies are independently owned, separate from the funds themselves, and managers profit by maximizing the funds under management because their fees are based on assets, not performance".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

For generations, this children's game has helped settle some profound conflicts.

The New York Times

Aloof from official politics, non-party-aligned and sometimes distant from trade unionism, such movements reflect the growing prominence of issues and forms of profound social conflict that emerge outside the workplace.

The Guardian - Opinion

(The two never met, although Freud dreamed of Herzl; and although Herzl ignored the copy of "The Interpretation of Dreams" Freud sent him, hoping for a review, Freud did psychoanalyze Herzl's son, Hans, years later, diagnosing the suicidal youth as suffering, not surprisingly, from a profound Oedipal conflict).

The New York Times - Magazine

The passing in 1998 of the European Union's (EU's) directive heavily in bioindustry's favor has done nothing to lessen what is, at heart, a profound moral conflict.

Science Magazine

The pattern implies profound character conflict relating to the position of this one group, and the volatility of this critical fossil taxon limits branch support scores at multiple nodes within Artiodactylamorpha (Figure 2).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound conflict" when you want to emphasize the deep, significant, or impactful nature of a disagreement or struggle. It's suitable for describing conflicts that have far-reaching consequences or involve fundamental issues.

Common error

Avoid using "profound conflict" to describe minor disagreements or everyday disputes. The term implies a significant depth and impact, and using it inappropriately can sound exaggerated or melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound conflict" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "profound" modifies the noun "conflict", adding emphasis to the depth and significance of the disagreement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound conflict" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a deep and impactful disagreement. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to emphasize the gravity of a conflict, making it suitable for formal and neutral contexts. When writing, it's best to reserve this term for situations where the disagreement is truly significant and far-reaching, avoiding its overuse in trivial disputes. Alternatives such as "deep-seated conflict" or "fundamental disagreement" can be used for a more nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental disagreement

Highlights that the disagreement is on core principles or values.

deep-seated conflict

Emphasizes the deeply rooted nature of the conflict, implying it's long-lasting or difficult to resolve.

significant contention

Replaces "conflict" with "contention", suggesting a strong disagreement or dispute.

profound discordance

Replaces "conflict" with a more formal term, "discordance", suggesting a significant lack of agreement or harmony.

serious discord

Replaces "conflict" with "discord", suggesting a lack of harmony or agreement of significant magnitude.

deep schism

Implies a division or separation resulting from the conflict, often in a group or organization.

grave dispute

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the conflict.

intense rivalry

Focuses on a competitive aspect, highlighting the strong and often hostile nature of the competition.

bitter dispute

Highlights the negative emotions and animosity associated with the conflict.

major clash

Highlights a direct and forceful confrontation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "profound conflict" in a sentence?

Employ "profound conflict" to describe situations where the disagreement is deeply rooted and has significant consequences. For instance, "The novel explores the "profound conflict" between tradition and modernity".

What are some alternatives to "profound conflict"?

You can use alternatives such as "deep-seated conflict", "fundamental disagreement", or "serious discord" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "profound conflict" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "profound conflict" is more suited to formal or neutral contexts. In informal writing, consider using simpler terms like "big fight" or "major disagreement".

What distinguishes "profound conflict" from a regular "conflict"?

"Profound conflict" denotes a disagreement that is not only significant in its impact but also deeply ingrained or philosophical in nature. A regular "conflict" might refer to any disagreement, regardless of its depth or consequences, whereas "profound conflict" /s/suggests a conflict/ that touches upon core values or beliefs.