simple conflict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simple conflict" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a straightforward disagreement or clash between two parties or ideas. Example: "The story revolves around a simple conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist, making it easy for readers to follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

On the surface, it is a simple conflict over real estate.

The New York Times

The war in Afghanistan is not a simple conflict, with the U.S. and the Afghan government on one side and the Taliban insurgents on the other.

The New Yorker

Though one can mock all of it, from simple conflict to sunny conclusion, "High School Musical" in whatever form remains entertaining.

The New York Times

If tribalism is the problem, ethnically homogenous countries should be peaceful but look at Somalia.Or at Sudan, whose civil war is often seen as a simple conflict between Arab Muslims and black non-Muslims.

The Economist

For proponents of assisted dying, it is convenient to believe that the issue is a simple conflict between individual autonomy – the right to decide matters of life and death for ourselves – and a superstitious belief in the sanctity of life, the demand that human beings must not "play God".

Independent

His roommate had something going on every night, possibly something more vibrant and exclusive than the pale thing he generally had going on, and he felt it was better to withhold the invitation than risk suffering the indignity of rejection, even if that rejection was due to a simple conflict of interest — preëxisting plans, for example.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"The fanboys who attend those movies are growing tired of simple solutions to simple conflicts," said the cartoonist Michael Dudczak (the online strip "Loog").

The New York Times

Air France passed off the decision as a simple conflict-of-interest matter, as Air France is already a business partner of the Italian carrier.

Forbes

Air France passed off the decision for Spinetta to resign as a simple conflict-of-interest matter, as Air France is already a business partner of the Italian carrier.

Forbes

State-of-the-art merging techniques are often limited to textual artifacts (e.g., source code) and they are unable to discover and resolve complex merging issues beyond simple conflicts.

Journal of Systems and Software

"He took the simplest conflict in the world, man versus woman, and used tennis as a metaphor and got everyone's attention".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simple conflict" when you want to emphasize that a disagreement or clash is not complex or multifaceted. It's helpful in situations where overcomplication is a risk.

Common error

Don't assume that a "simple conflict" is necessarily unimportant. The term refers to the complexity of the issue, not its potential impact or consequences. Addressing a "simple conflict" effectively can prevent it from escalating into a more complex problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simple conflict" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a type of disagreement or dispute characterized by its lack of complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "simple conflict" describes a straightforward disagreement or dispute. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts. While its usage is not as frequent as more general terms, it is valuable for emphasizing the lack of complexity in a given situation. The phrase appears most often in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using "simple conflict", remember that simplicity doesn't equate to insignificance. Alternative phrases like "straightforward dispute" or "basic disagreement" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

straightforward dispute

Replaces "conflict" with "dispute" and uses "straightforward" to emphasize clarity.

basic disagreement

Uses more common words to convey the lack of complexity.

minor clash

Indicates a less serious and less complex conflict.

easy quarrel

Highlights the simplicity in a verbal disagreement.

uncomplicated disagreement

Uses a more formal word, "uncomplicated", to describe the lack of complexity.

clear-cut conflict

Emphasizes the unambiguous nature of the conflict.

plain conflict

Indicates an obvious and easily understood conflict.

direct confrontation

Focuses on the directness of the clashing elements.

elementary dispute

Highlights that the dispute is not complicated or advanced.

manageable conflict

Focuses on the capacity to control and resolve it.

FAQs

How can I use "simple conflict" in a sentence?

You can use "simple conflict" to describe a straightforward disagreement. For example, "The movie plot revolved around a "simple conflict" between two friends over a shared interest".

What are some synonyms for "simple conflict"?

Alternatives include phrases like "straightforward dispute", "basic disagreement", or "minor clash" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a war as a "simple conflict"?

Describing a war as a "simple conflict" might be misleading as wars often involve numerous complex factors. It would be more accurate if the core issue is exceptionally direct and lacks underlying complexities.

What's the difference between "simple conflict" and "complex conflict"?

"Simple conflict" refers to a disagreement with a clear and easily understandable cause and resolution. Conversely, "complex conflict" involves multiple interconnected issues, making it harder to resolve.