the contention that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the contention that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a claim or argument that someone is making, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The contention that climate change is primarily caused by human activity has been supported by numerous scientific studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"This further supports the contention that failed projects are being made difficult to find," she says.

TechCrunch

It is also showing signs of confirming the contention that higher spending contributes to academic gains.

The New York Times

Particularly unconvincing is the contention that files and folders don't scale.

The New York Times - Tech

It also disputed the contention that he was retarded.

The New York Times

She denied the contention that he had a perpetual deal.

The New York Times

Some in the field challenge the contention that historians have abandoned the long view.

The New York Times - Arts

Some Apple rivals took issue with the contention that all smartphones suffer from antenna problems.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Birkenfeld's lawyers dispute the contention that their client did not provide information on Mr. Olenicoff.

The New York Times

Now Judge Reinhardt reiterates the contention that discrimination against gays and lesbians requires special judicial solicitude.

The Economist

Statistics don't necessarily support the contention that the switch has worked for Ovechkin.

The New York Times - Sports

The hefty ban stemmed from the contention that he tried to cover up his violations.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the contention that", ensure the claim you are introducing is clearly defined and relevant to the context of your writing. Provide supporting evidence or reasoning to strengthen the contention.

Common error

Avoid presenting "the contention that" as an irrefutable fact without adequate support. Acknowledge potential counterarguments or limitations to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

"The contention that" functions as a discourse marker that introduces a proposition or argument. It presents a statement as a point of view, often one that may be debated or require supporting evidence. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the contention that" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to introduce a claim or argument, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is particularly prevalent in formal contexts such as news, science, and business, where reasoned discourse and well-supported claims are crucial. While alternatives like "the argument that" or "the claim that" exist, "the contention that" often carries a stronger implication of debate or disagreement. When employing this phrase, ensure the argument is clear and adequately supported to enhance the persuasiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the argument that

Replaces 'contention' with 'argument', suggesting a reasoned and supported claim.

the claim that

Substitutes 'contention' with 'claim', implying an assertion that may require proof.

the assertion that

Uses 'assertion' instead of 'contention', indicating a confident and forceful statement.

the hypothesis that

Replaces 'contention' with 'hypothesis', framing the statement as a testable proposition.

the theory that

Substitutes 'contention' with 'theory', suggesting a well-developed and supported explanation.

the position that

Uses 'position' instead of 'contention', indicating a stance or viewpoint on an issue.

the idea that

Replaces 'contention' with 'idea', presenting the statement as a thought or concept.

the belief that

Substitutes 'contention' with 'belief', suggesting a conviction or faith-based acceptance.

it is argued that

Changes the structure to a passive voice, emphasizing the act of arguing rather than the 'contention'.

it is proposed that

Shifts the focus to a suggestion or proposal, rather than a direct contention.

FAQs

How can I use "the contention that" in a sentence?

Use "the contention that" to introduce a claim or argument, for example: "The contention that climate change is primarily caused by human activity is widely supported by scientific evidence."

What phrases are similar to "the contention that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the argument that", "the claim that", or "the assertion that", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "the contention that" a formal phrase?

Yes, "the contention that" is considered a formal phrase and is often used in academic, legal, or professional writing to introduce a debated point or assertion.

When should I use "the contention that" versus a simpler phrase like "the idea that"?

Use "the contention that" when you want to emphasize that a particular idea is being actively debated or challenged. Use "the idea that" when you simply want to introduce a concept or notion without necessarily highlighting its controversial nature.