substantial dispute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial dispute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where there is a significant disagreement or conflict between parties, often in legal or formal discussions. Example: "The two companies are currently in a substantial dispute over the terms of their contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is the only substantial dispute".

The New Yorker

It was not a substantial dispute over whether or not the court could technically admit them into evidence.

The New York Times

The court granted that "there remains a substantial dispute between the parties concerning Reid's access to Time," but it dismissed the case nevertheless, citing the "mootness" doctrine ("No practical consequences would flow from the decision"), so hundreds of confiscated letters from alert Time readers remain in the custody of prison officials in Colorado, where Reid is now serving a life term.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He said there had been "substantial disputes" about what comprised matrimonial assets and their value.

The Guardian - Music

Junior members are allowed to take potshots at the other party, but these are not allowed to develop into substantial disputes.

The Economist

In fact, although there were often substantial regional disputes — Northern and Southern Democrats substantially differed on social policy while generally agreeing on economic policy — Democrats dominated the Congress for the next 60 years.

The New York Times

If a declaration was sought, it had to be applied for by way of writ if there were substantial factual disputes between the parties, or, if not, by originating summons.

Wikipedia

But the amounts of money at issue were so substantial that the dispute found its way into the courts where insurance companies waged a bitter struggle among themselves & with their clients--the asbestos-insulation manufactuerers-to determine who should be responsible for compensating the victims.

The New Yorker

Although the three cases differ in substantial ways, the disputes do resemble one another.

The New York Times - Arts

Junior doctors have already staged six walkouts this year as part of their campaign against the proposed new contract being imposed on them by the government, but Stephenson said the BMA was now planning "a substantial escalation" of the dispute.

The Guardian

The new ozone standard has been the subject of fierce dispute, imposing substantial costs on industry and pitting states against one another, depending on whether they are "upwind" or "downwind" of sources of pollution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial dispute" when you want to emphasize that a disagreement is significant in terms of its potential impact or implications, especially in formal or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial dispute" when the disagreement is minor or trivial. Choose a less emphatic term like "minor disagreement" or "difference of opinion" for less significant situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial dispute" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "dispute". It is used to describe a disagreement that is significant or considerable. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial dispute" is a grammatically correct and useful term to describe a significant disagreement or conflict. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys that a dispute is considerable in scope or importance. It is primarily used in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, and tends to be neutral in tone. While "substantial dispute" is a valid phrase, it's important to choose it judiciously and not overstate the significance of minor disagreements. Consider alternatives like "significant disagreement" or "major conflict" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant disagreement

Replaces "dispute" with a more general term for disagreement, emphasizing the importance through "significant".

major conflict

Substitutes "dispute" with "conflict", suggesting a more active and potentially hostile disagreement; "major" stresses the scale.

serious contention

Uses "contention" to imply a strong disagreement, highlighting the gravity of the situation with "serious".

considerable controversy

Replaces "dispute" with "controversy", focusing on the public disagreement and debate; "considerable" underscores the extent.

profound disagreement

Emphasizes the depth of the disagreement, rather than its scope or intensity, with "profound".

material disagreement

Uses "material" to indicate that the disagreement is important and relevant to the matter at hand.

notable conflict

Highlights that the conflict is worth paying attention to because it is "notable".

pronounced difference of opinion

Rephrases the dispute as a clear and distinct difference in opinion, using more formal language.

genuine point of contention

Identifies the dispute as an authentic and valid point of disagreement, using "genuine" to highlight its legitimacy.

real difference of view

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the presence of a tangible difference in perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "substantial dispute" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial dispute" to describe a significant disagreement, such as, "The companies are in a "substantial dispute" over contract terms."

What are some alternatives to "substantial dispute"?

Alternatives include "significant disagreement", "major conflict", or "serious contention", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "substantial dispute" a formal phrase?

Yes, "substantial dispute" is relatively formal and suitable for professional, legal, or academic contexts. Less formal situations might call for alternatives like "big argument" or "major disagreement".

What's the difference between "substantial dispute" and "minor disagreement"?

"Substantial dispute" implies a disagreement with significant implications, while "minor disagreement" refers to a less important difference of opinion. The choice depends on the scale and impact of the disagreement.