serious frictions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious frictions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant conflicts or tensions between parties, whether in personal relationships, workplaces, or international relations. Example: "The negotiations broke down due to serious frictions between the two countries over trade policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But serious frictions remain.

The New York Times

African Ambivalence Sometimes, the Chinese approach has created serious frictions with African workers.

The New York Times

"Now everything hinges on fulfilment of the agreement: serious frictions are very likely.

The Guardian

Mr. O'Neill's aggressiveness has led to serious frictions in the Cole bombing case, for example.

The New York Times

William, in the hope of averting a new war, entered into two Spanish Partition treaties (1698 99) with Louis measures that involved him in serious frictions with Parliament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Their long, comfortable marriage seems to have unfolded without serious friction or disappointment.

The New York Times

Maddon is fortunate it did not cause serious friction in his personal life.

The New York Times - Sports

The unflagging U.S. effort to bring about a negotiated solution led at times to serious friction with Israel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, the counterterrorism effort that now provides the foundation for strategic cooperation could become a source of serious friction.

The New York Times

That is an unhappy division of labour which brought serious friction during the last Social Democratic-led government, when Helmut Schmidt was chancellor and Willy Brandt party chairman.

The Economist

It caused serious friction between Mr. Duarte and the army, they contended, and threw the Salvadoran leader off balance for several months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious frictions", ensure the context clearly establishes the parties involved and the nature of the disagreement. For example, specify "serious frictions between management and employees" or "serious frictions in international trade negotiations."

Common error

Avoid using "serious frictions" when the disagreements are minor or easily resolved. Save the phrase for situations where the tensions are truly significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious frictions" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes significant disagreements or tensions. For instance, "Serious frictions remain" (from The New York Times) exemplifies its use as a subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious frictions" is a noun phrase denoting significant disagreements or tensions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in formal English. With a 'Rare' frequency, it's primarily found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, signaling noteworthy conflicts. When employing the phrase, ensure the context warrants the level of severity it implies, and specify the parties involved to provide clarity. Alternatives such as "significant disagreements" or "major conflicts" can be used depending on the specific context and desired emphasis. The phrase suits neutral to professional registers, making it fitting for objective reporting and analytical discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant disagreements

Replaces "frictions" with a more direct term for disagreements, emphasizing the importance.

major conflicts

Substitutes "frictions" with "conflicts", indicating a more escalated level of disagreement.

intense tensions

Replaces "serious frictions" with "intense tensions", highlighting the emotional or psychological strain involved.

severe clashes

Uses "clashes" to suggest direct confrontations, implying a more active form of disagreement.

deep divisions

Indicates fundamental disagreements that create separations or factions.

pronounced discord

Emphasizes the lack of harmony, suggesting a noticeable and disruptive disagreement.

significant points of contention

Highlights specific issues that cause disagreement.

substantial differences

Focuses on the measurable or impactful discrepancies between parties.

marked disagreements

Highlights disagreements that are easily noticeable or distinct.

grave discords

Indicates serious lack of agreement or harmony, suggesting significant negative consequences.

FAQs

What does "serious frictions" mean?

The phrase "serious frictions" refers to significant disagreements, tensions, or conflicts between individuals, groups, or entities. It suggests that these tensions are substantial enough to cause concern or disruption.

How can I use "serious frictions" in a sentence?

You can use "serious frictions" to describe disagreements in various contexts, such as "There are "intense tensions" between the two departments" or "The new policy has created "deep divisions" within the community."

What are some alternatives to "serious frictions"?

Some alternatives to "serious frictions" include "significant disagreements", "major conflicts", "intense tensions", or "deep divisions".

Is it more appropriate to use "serious frictions" or "minor disagreements"?

The choice depends on the context and the severity of the situation. Use "serious frictions" when the disagreements are substantial and impactful. Opt for "minor disagreements" when the issues are less significant and easily resolved.