raise controversy

USAGE SUMMARY

"raise controversy" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where something happens or is said that causes disagreement, argument, or strong debate. For example, "The politician's comments raised controversy among their supporters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Could the FIA have done this to raise controversy to get lots of talk in the media a week ahead of the first race?

The New York Times

Though many egg donors derive great satisfaction from knowing that they helped someone start a family, the price of eggs has soared in recent years as demand has increased, and the sizable payments raise controversy.

The New York Times - Health

NEW YORK TIMES   Asset Managers' Lottery Claims Raise Controversy  |  A day after three asset managers from Connecticut came forward on Monday to claim a winning ticket in a $254.2 million Powerball lottery game, speculation swirled that they were not the winners, prompting them to hire a public relations firm and clarify the matter.

The New York Times

Being one of the largest segments of the maritime economic sectors, as well as the largest component of the tourism industry, coastal and marine tourism often raise controversy regarding the environmental impacts and the compatibilities with other human activities.

Ocean & Coastal Management

Few headache disorders could raise controversy in diagnosis and treatment.Some headaches which appear like primary(migraine,TAC,TTH etc).or the known secondary ones may have few peculiar/interesting findings contrary to the conventional descriptions & can pose challenges to the diagnosis,classification and also treatment.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Adjunct faculty can't risk doing anything new, edgy or nontraditional, anything that would raise controversy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

These could raise controversies in classification & treatment.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Further efforts to prosecute Dr. Haneef raised controversy in Australia.

The New York Times

And as the pugilistic outsider, he raised controversy to rare literary heights.

The Guardian - Books

Revelations from the whistleblower Edward Snowden have raised controversy about the alliance's activities.

The Guardian

And even now, every time there's a fund-raising controversy, they act like they don't know anything about it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raise controversy", consider the specific nuance you want to convey – whether it's simply generating disagreement or inciting a more intense conflict. Choose synonyms carefully to reflect the intended impact.

Common error

Avoid using "raise controversy" as a default phrase for any situation involving disagreement. Sometimes, a more neutral term like "spark debate" or a more forceful one like "ignite contention" may be more appropriate to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise controversy" functions as a verb phrase, where "raise" acts as a transitive verb and "controversy" is its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "raise controversy" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of causing disagreement or debate. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While relatively rare, the phrase appears in a variety of sources, including news media, scientific journals, and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral register. Related phrases include "spark debate" and "ignite contention", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning. When using the phrase, it's important to consider the specific context and choose the most appropriate wording to accurately reflect the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generate disagreement

Highlights the creation of opposing views, without necessarily implying a strong emotional response.

prompt argument

Focuses on initiating an exchange of diverging or opposite views.

spark debate

Focuses more on initiating a discussion rather than necessarily causing strong disagreement.

provoke dispute

Indicates a deliberate attempt to cause an argument or quarrel.

give rise to conflict

Emphasizes that something leads to the development of open antagonism.

ignite contention

Emphasizes the intensity and potential for conflict resulting from the action.

incite opposition

Suggests a more active and potentially organized resistance is being created.

foment dissent

Implies actively stirring up discontent and disagreement within a group.

trigger outcry

Highlights that it causes a strong public expression of disapproval or anger.

stir up trouble

Conveys the idea of causing disturbance or problems, implying a negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "raise controversy" in a sentence?

You can use "raise controversy" to describe situations where something causes disagreement or debate. For example: "The new policy is likely to raise controversy among employees."

What are some alternatives to "raise controversy"?

Alternatives include "spark debate", "ignite contention", or "generate disagreement", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "raise controversy" or "spark controversy"?

Both "raise controversy" and "spark controversy" are correct, but "spark" often implies a more immediate and sudden reaction, while "raise" can refer to a more gradual development of disagreement.

What's the difference between "raise controversy" and "address concerns"?

"Raise controversy" refers to causing disagreement, while "address concerns" implies attempting to resolve existing doubts or issues. They are essentially opposite in intent.