the authors contend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the authors contend" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that the authors are asserting or arguing a particular point or position in their work. Example: "In their research paper, the authors contend that climate change is primarily driven by human activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not really, the authors contend.

The New York Times - Books

Not at all, the authors contend.

The New York Times

But that does not matter, the authors contend.

The New York Times

The authors contend that the Clinton foes have not, for the most part, been separate actors.

The New York Times - Books

That is essential in building a metanational structure, the authors contend.

The New York Times

The authors contend that the country has effectively become two nations.

The New York Times

The authors contend that China's ambitions in Africa are grandly geopolitical as well as economic.

The New York Times

Bush's "idiocy and religious fanaticism" are useful, the authors contend, for they stir the Islamic world to action.

The New Yorker

None of these aspects of executive pay in practice, the authors contend, can be easily explained by optimal contracting.

The Economist

Still, the authors contend that that the results show that Americans are taking action on global warming.

The New York Times

Previous studies have failed because they tend to depend on surveys, and the authors contend that surveys of illegal activity are not trustworthy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the authors contend" to introduce a key argument or viewpoint presented in a scholarly or journalistic work. This phrase signals that you are summarizing or highlighting a specific claim made by the authors.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "the authors contend" within the same paragraph or section. Vary your language by using synonyms like "the authors argue", "the authors assert", or "the authors suggest" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the authors contend" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces a statement, argument, or claim made by the authors of a particular text. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it is used to present the authors' point of view in an objective manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the authors contend" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a viewpoint or argument presented in a written work. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a reporting verb phrase, predominantly used in news and media and science, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, avoid overusing it, and feel free to use similar alternatives such as "the authors argue" or "the authors assert" to add variety to your writing. It's important to remember that "contend" implies a strong assertion, so ensure it aligns with the author's intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the authors argue

Replaces "contend" with a more direct synonym, "argue", suggesting a reasoned presentation of a viewpoint.

the authors maintain

Uses "maintain" to convey a sense of consistent and persistent advocacy for a particular view.

the authors assert

Uses "assert" to emphasize a confident and forceful statement of a position.

the authors claim

Employs "claim", which can suggest a position that is open to debate or requires further support.

the authors put forward

Uses "put forward" to suggest a deliberate presentation of an idea for discussion.

the authors posit

Replaces "contend" with "posit", suggesting a more formal and academic presentation of a hypothesis.

the authors propose

Employs "propose" to indicate the presentation of a specific idea or plan for consideration.

the authors suggest

Substitutes "contend" with "suggest", indicating a more tentative or indirect presentation of an idea.

the authors conclude

Uses "conclude" to signal that the statement is a summary or final judgment based on evidence.

the authors believe

Substitutes "contend" with "believe", indicating a personal conviction or opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "the authors contend" in a sentence?

You can use "the authors contend" to introduce a specific argument or viewpoint from a piece of writing, for example: "The authors contend that increased funding is essential for scientific research".

What are some alternatives to "the authors contend"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the authors argue", "the authors assert", or "the authors claim", each carrying slightly different nuances in emphasis.

Is "the authors contend" formal or informal?

"The authors contend" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic writing, journalistic reports, and other professional contexts.

What is the difference between "the authors contend" and "the authors suggest"?

"The authors contend" implies a stronger assertion of a viewpoint, while "the authors suggest" indicates a more tentative or indirect presentation of an idea.