wrangling about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrangling about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing disputes, arguments, or debates over a particular topic or issue. Example: "The committee spent hours wrangling about the best approach to the project, unable to reach a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

We are currently wrangling about how much to devastate the Earth.

The Guardian - Opinion

And everybody is suddenly wrangling about the terrors of the world outside.

The Guardian - Business

"We had a year of wrangling about it," Mrs. Vivian said.

The New York Times

These issues seem more urgent to the archbishop than the interminable wrangling about sexuality.

The Guardian

Much of the geopolitical wrangling about the deal emerged in secret American diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks.

The New York Times

OPTIMISM, in the intricate and frustrating world of international wrangling about Iran's nuclear programme, is a relative concept.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

This music-loving company even wrangles about favourite singers and best performances.

Independent

For them and countless others, wrangles about the exact definition of rape are beside the point.

The Economist

This has stalled negotiations as everyone wrangles about who will lead the group into the brave new world.

The Economist

She added that they were also alike in one other important respect: "We both like to wrangle about political issues".

The New York Times

For more than three weeks, the drivers union and transit officials have wrangled about wages, work rules and overtime.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wrangling about" when you want to convey a sense of ongoing contention or debate over a specific issue. It's suitable when parties are actively struggling to reach an agreement or resolve a dispute.

Common error

While acceptable, "wrangling about" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "debating" or "negotiating". Consider the tone of your writing and choose the phrase that best suits the context. Overusing it in formal documents may detract from the overall professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wrangling about" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, acting as a description of an ongoing dispute or debate. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts to describe contention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wrangling about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe active disputes or debates. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and utility across diverse contexts. It is most prevalent in news and media, and its neutral to slightly informal register makes it suitable for a range of writing styles. While effective, writers should be mindful of the context and consider more formal alternatives like "debating" or "negotiating" when appropriate. The phrase effectively conveys ongoing contention, adding depth to descriptions of complex disagreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arguing over

Focuses more on the act of arguing rather than the underlying struggle.

debating about

Emphasizes a formal discussion or debate.

disputing over

Highlights disagreement and questioning the validity of something.

contending over

Suggests a more forceful and competitive disagreement.

quarreling about

Implies a more personal and heated disagreement.

bickering over

Refers to petty and continuous arguments.

squabbling about

Similar to bickering, but possibly more childish or trivial.

clashing over

Indicates a direct conflict or opposition.

grappling with

Emphasizes the struggle and difficulty in dealing with a problem or issue.

negotiating around

Highlights efforts to find a compromise despite disagreements.

FAQs

What does "wrangling about" mean?

Wrangling about means engaging in a dispute or argument, often involving complex issues and multiple parties. It suggests a struggle or contention to resolve a disagreement.

What are some alternatives to "wrangling about"?

You can use alternatives like "arguing over", "debating about", or "disputing over" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "wrangling about" in a sentence?

You can use "wrangling about" to describe a situation where people are intensely debating or struggling over an issue. For example: "Lawmakers are wrangling about the details of the new bill."

Is "wrangling about" formal or informal?

The phrase "wrangling about" is generally considered neutral in tone. While it can be used in news articles and reports, more formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "negotiating around" or "debating about".