subjects of contention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subjects of contention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to topics or issues that are disputed or debated among individuals or groups. Example: "The proposed policy changes have become subjects of contention among the community members, leading to heated discussions at the town hall meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Lepore's piece is a reminder that the conventions governing who should read what have always been subjects of contention.

The New Yorker

In fact, Antonio Sampaio, a Madrid-based correspondent for Lusa, the Portuguese news agency, argued that soccer supremacy was perhaps one of the only remaining subjects of contention between the two countries.

The New York Times - Sports

Despite the 9 million soldiers dead, the 21 million wounded, the 20,000 miles of international borders rerouted and the near destruction of a continent's civilization, the war's causes and consequences are still the subjects of contention.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even the starting point of the history to be told has become the subject of contention.

The New York Times

In the 1980s the Paracels, still occupied by China, remained a subject of contention.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The base has been the subject of contention for some time.

The New York Times

Still, how the former president should be punished remains a subject of contention.

The New York Times

The origin of Mr. Carty's injuries was a subject of contention, underscoring the videotape's limitations.

The New York Times

Within the organization, the dominance of the Egyptians has been a subject of contention, especially among the Saudis.

The New Yorker

The assassination of President John F Kennedy in Dallas on 22 November 1963 remains a subject of contention and dispute more than half a century later.

The Guardian

And the aviation industry, with products and services made by General Electric and Honeywell, has been a longstanding subject of contention between Washington and Brussels.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "subjects of contention", ensure the context clearly indicates what parties are in disagreement and why.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "subjects of contention" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "disagreements" or "debates" for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subjects of contention" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the topics or issues that are being disputed or debated. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "subjects of contention" correctly identifies topics or issues that are disputed or debated. While confirmed as grammatically correct by Ludwig, it tends toward formal usage, appearing most frequently in news, encyclopedic and scientific contexts. Alternatives like ""issues of contention"" or ""topics of contention"" offer similar meanings, but simpler terms might be preferable for informal communication. Effective use involves clearly identifying the disagreeing parties and the reasons for their dispute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issues of contention

Replaces "subjects" with "issues", focusing on the problematic nature of the topics.

topics of contention

Substitutes "subjects" with "topics", highlighting the themes under debate.

matters of contention

Replaces "subjects" with "matters", emphasizing the importance of the issues.

contentious issues

Adjective-noun structure that directly describes the issues as contentious.

points of dispute

Shifts from "contention" to "dispute", focusing on disagreement.

debatable topics

Highlights that the topics are open to debate and discussion.

areas of disagreement

Replaces "contention" with "disagreement", emphasizing lack of consensus.

disputed matters

Focuses on the fact that these matters are being actively disputed.

bones of contention

Uses an idiomatic expression to highlight the central cause of the disagreement.

sources of conflict

Emphasizes the potential for conflict arising from these subjects.

FAQs

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

You can use "subjects of contention" to refer to topics that cause disagreement or debate. For example, "The new regulations became "subjects of contention" between the company and its employees".

What are some alternatives to "subjects of contention"?

Alternatives include "issues of contention", "topics of contention", or "matters of contention", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "subjects of contention" formal or informal?

"Subjects of contention" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, consider using simpler terms like "disagreements" or "debates".

What's the difference between "subjects of contention" and "points of dispute"?

While both phrases indicate disagreement, "points of dispute" specifically highlights the individual items or reasons causing the disagreement, whereas "subjects of contention" refers to the broader topics themselves.