point of contention
/pɔɪnt əv kənˈtɛnʃən/
Meaning
This term refers to a specific issue, idea, or argument over which there is major disagreement or debate. It is widely used in academic writing to highlight the core conflict between different researchers, theories, or schools of thought.
Examples
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The exact date of the manuscript's creation remains a major point of contention among historians.
The exact date of the manuscript's creation remains a major point of contention among historians.
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Funding for the new laboratory became a major point of contention during the board meeting.
Funding for the new laboratory became a major point of contention during the board meeting.
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Whether the policy actually reduced poverty is still a point of contention.
Whether the policy actually reduced poverty is still a point of contention.
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The research team identified three points of contention that needed to be resolved before publishing.
The research team identified three points of contention that needed to be resolved before publishing.
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The definition of 'consciousness' is a key point of contention in cognitive science.
The definition of 'consciousness' is a key point of contention in cognitive science.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The point of content is whether the data is reliable.
✓ The point of contention is whether the data is reliable.
Contention is the noun form meaning disagreement or dispute. Content means substance or satisfaction.
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✗ They had a big point of contention yesterday.
✓ They had a major disagreement yesterday.
A point of contention is an abstract concept or topic of dispute, not an event or argument itself. You do not 'have' a point of contention like you have a fight.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The methodology used to collect the sample was the main ___ between the two scientists.
💡 The key issue they disagreed on.
Show answer
point of contention
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We agree on the budget, but the project timeline remains a ___.
💡 An issue that causes disagreement.
Show answer
point of contention