thorny point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thorny point" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a difficult or contentious issue or topic. Here is an example: "The negotiations hit a thorny point when the two parties could not agree on the division of profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That raises another thorny point: what to do with the remains of your meal once you have finished dining.

The New York Times

The assembled press seemed more amused than startled by his unenlightened comments, but gender continues to be a thorny point in Cannes after last year's competition was criticised for not including a single female director.

Independent

Economic cyber-espionage is particularly thorny point of discussion because the US, unlike China, distinguishes between attacks on private industry and more bread and butter political and military espionage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Authors' response: This is a very interesting and thorny point.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It seems like one of the thorny points is Woot's CEO, Garth Mader, who had been put in place by Amazon to work under Matt Rutledge, and was promoted after Rutledge left.

TechCrunch

After seven years of stop-and-start peace negotiations, with the threat of an impending return to violent conflict, there was no longer any point in avoiding an official grappling with the thorniest points.

The New York Times

Every dire, dreadful, America-is-coming-to-an-end, thorny talking point about Democrat Obama's governing -- no matter how distorted, fabricated, or investigated by Republican led Congressional Committees -- has failed to materialize or come close.

Huffington Post

But there's little reason to think future talks will yield much progress on some of the thorniest sticking points between the two countries, including China's practice of forced technology transfers from U.S. companies.

The Washington Post

I had fretted over those and a hundred other thorny questions to the point that I almost dreaded retirement.

Huffington Post

Based on observations of a number of companies, we have now been able to identify six "pain points," or thorny challenges, that seem to be the biggest stumbling blocks.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If WillCall's goal is to make the concert experience for fans and venues, there are few pain points as thorny as scalping.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thorny point", ensure the context clearly indicates why the issue is difficult or sensitive. Provide specific details to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "thorny point" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for issues with significant complexity or potential for conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thorny point" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "thorny" modifies the noun "point". It is used to describe a specific issue, aspect, or stage in a discussion or situation that is complex, sensitive, or contentious. This aligns with the examples Ludwig provides, where the phrase appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thorny point" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a complex or sensitive issue. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is indeed correct. Its frequency is considered uncommon, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the severity of the issue justifies its use. For alternatives, consider "contentious point" or "tricky issue". Remember, clarity and context are key to effective communication when addressing such "thorny" matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contentious point

Replaces the adjective "thorny" with "contentious", highlighting the controversial nature of the issue.

tricky issue

Substitutes "point" with "issue" and "thorny" with "tricky", indicating a problem requiring careful handling.

delicate matter

Uses "delicate matter" to emphasize the sensitivity and potential for causing offense or difficulty.

sensitive subject

Replaces "point" with "subject", stressing that it is a topic that needs to be handled with care.

problematic aspect

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the issue by calling it a "problematic aspect".

challenging question

Focuses on the difficulty in finding a satisfactory answer or solution.

difficult question

Highlights the complexity involved in finding an answer to a question.

awkward situation

Shifts the focus to the uncomfortable or embarrassing nature of the issue.

unpleasant issue

Underlines the undesirable or disagreeable character of a particular topic or situation.

vexing problem

Uses a more formal tone to describe a problem that causes irritation or annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "thorny point" in a sentence?

Use "thorny point" to describe a complex or sensitive issue. For example: "The negotiation reached a "thorny point" when discussing intellectual property rights."

What are some alternatives to "thorny point"?

You can use alternatives such as "contentious point", "tricky issue", or "delicate matter" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thorny point" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "thorny point" is suitable for formal writing. While not overly technical, it is a clear and professional way to describe a difficult issue. Using more formal alternatives like "problematic aspect" can further enhance formality.

What makes a point "thorny"?

A point is considered "thorny" when it involves complex considerations, potential conflicts, or sensitive information, making it difficult to address or resolve. It implies that dealing with the issue requires caution and careful navigation.