were in conflict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were in conflict" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more parties, ideas, or interests are opposed or at odds with each other. Example: "The two countries were in conflict over territorial disputes, leading to heightened tensions in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He and I were in conflict".

The New York Times

Rules turned out to be inefficient if they were in conflict with the prevalent ecological norm.

Ecological Economics

Mr. Cardozo denied last night that his two positions were in conflict.

The New York Times

"They were in conflict with their surroundings and it was wrong".

The Guardian - Arts

"They were in conflict then, and there are more people now".

The New York Times

But in this case, Professor Sherry said, for conservatives "the politics and jurisprudence were in conflict".

The New York Times

"Sometimes they were in conflict; sometimes we got anecdotal information that gave us a deeper insight.

The New York Times - Arts

Netanyahu said the Palestinians were in conflict with Israel long before settlement construction began in 1967.

The Guardian

He (Parker) essentially had two different roles that were in conflict with each other".

The New York Times - Sports

The Moabites were in conflict with the Israelites from the 13th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cambridge Analytica's recent data breach is a prime example.10 Its data mining practices were in conflict with Facebook's policies.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were in conflict" to clearly indicate opposition or disagreement between two or more entities. Ensure the context provides clarity about what is being conflicted.

Common error

Avoid using "were in conflict" with a singular subject; use "was in conflict" instead. For example, instead of "The policy were in conflict with the law", write "The policy was in conflict with the law".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were in conflict" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a state of opposition, disagreement, or incompatibility between two or more entities. This is supported by Ludwig AI which confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were in conflict" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote opposition or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It commonly appears in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia". When using the phrase, ensure that the subject is plural to maintain grammatical accuracy. Alternatives include "were at odds" and "were in disagreement". Steer clear of using "were in conflict" with a singular subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were at odds

Implies a state of disagreement or contention between parties.

were in disagreement

A more general term indicating a lack of consensus.

were at loggerheads

Suggests a more intense and prolonged disagreement.

were clashing

Highlights the active conflict or opposition.

were in opposition

Highlights a direct and often public stance against something.

were contending

Emphasizes the struggle or competition between entities.

were antagonistic

Suggests a hostile or unfriendly relationship.

were incompatible

Indicates a fundamental inability to coexist or harmonize.

were discordant

Focuses on a lack of harmony or agreement.

were unreconciled

Emphasizes that differences have not been resolved.

FAQs

How can I use "were in conflict" in a sentence?

Use "were in conflict" to describe situations where two or more things are opposed or incompatible. For example, "The two accounts of the event were in conflict".

What are some alternatives to "were in conflict"?

You can use alternatives like "were at odds", "were in disagreement", or "were clashing" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "were in conflict" or "was in conflict"?

"Were in conflict" is used with plural subjects, while "was in conflict" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The policies were in conflict", but "The policy was in conflict".

What’s the difference between "were in conflict" and "were inconsistent"?

"Were in conflict" suggests a direct opposition or clash, while "were inconsistent" simply means that things do not align or match up. "Were in conflict" is a stronger term.