adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a controversial decision (= that people disagree about )
▪
The history of the law is full of controversial decisions.
a controversial subject
▪
The content of the curriculum has become a controversial subject.
a controversial topic (= one that causes a lot of disagreement, because many people have strong opinions about it )
▪
Abortion is one of the most controversial topics in America today.
a controversial/sensitive issue (= an issue that causes strong feelings and arguments )
▪
Abortion is a controversial issue.
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ ADVERB
highly
▪
The Public Order Act was a necessary but highly controversial piece of legislation.
▪
The ambassadorial nominations were highly controversial at the time.
▪
Suranyi's effective dismissal was highly controversial .
▪
The book was highly controversial and sold unbelievably well.
▪
How changes in money supply affect aggregate demand is a highly controversial issue.
▪
Many of these were highly political, some also highly controversial .
▪
The trial of Shbeilat and Qarrash had been highly controversial .
▪
The result was a highly controversial draw, most ringside commentators agreeing that Hope deserved victory.
less
▪
The proposal itself was less controversial than the party manoeuvring which had gone before it.
▪
Find a less controversial topic with which to experiment.
▪
In contrast MDC's record on equity and accountability has been less controversial .
▪
A less controversial proposal concerns passenger luggage.
▪
We give them greater credence if we allow them to be grouped with other less controversial policies.
▪
But leaders of such movements could easily work out less controversial and more discreet arrangements to satisfy their drives.
▪
What is less controversial is the central function of an individual or the concept called the self.
▪
That would be less controversial , since liability could then be explained in terms of aiding and abetting the breach.
more
▪
On a somewhat more controversial issue, Mr Milburn and Mr Bergg said they would support a ban on fox hunting.
▪
Sansome's early bath was more controversial .
▪
A more controversial point is the court taking into account the purposes for which the product has been marketed.
▪
Even more controversial were attempts to challenge the prevailing white male hegemony within local government.
▪
Another, more controversial form of treatment, is neutralization therapy.
▪
Gradually, during the decade, they began to relax it soas to admit more and more controversial confessions.
▪
No part of the squabble is more controversial than its scientific underpinning.
▪
Other measures intended to reduce the incidence of sickling crises are more controversial , and treatment centres vary in their policies.
most
▪
Among the most controversial options being considered is whether to form a union with the Roman Catholic Church.
▪
Among the most controversial of covered services is abortion.
▪
One of the most controversial areas of intervention by these new-style Labour councils was Equal Opportunities.
▪
But the most controversial is expected to be called to the witness stand.
▪
The decision to use the bomb remains the most controversial and probably the most important of the Second World War.
▪
Interestingly, rabbit is one of the most controversial game animals.
▪
Such freedom is one of the most controversial areas in the scheme.
▪
Steve Stockman, R-Texas, one of the most controversial members of Congress.
still
▪
But their details are often still controversial and their meaning can only be appreciated by placing them in context.
▪
Increased risk for osteoporosis is still controversial .
▪
The frequency of gall bladder motor disorder in patients with diabetes mellitus is still controversial .
▪
Understanding the quantisation experiments has not been easy and is still controversial .
▪
The exact method of genetic transmission is still controversial .
▪
The results of the survey are still controversial , so perhaps we should not allow them too much weight.
▪
The resulting type of statistical methodology is known as Bayesian, and is still controversial .
▪
The definitive treatment is still controversial .
very
▪
Contraception is a very controversial subject even among Christians.
▪
His ideas were, and are, very controversial .
▪
Now, it happens that is a very controversial and highly questionable economic proposition.
▪
It was very controversial and was never acted upon by government.
■ NOUN
area
▪
One of the most controversial areas of intervention by these new-style Labour councils was Equal Opportunities.
▪
Such freedom is one of the most controversial areas in the scheme.
▪
The viewpoint is somewhat narrow and there are several controversial areas where the presentation is very one-sided.
▪
It is intended to foster greater appreciation of the complex and contentious issues associated with research in this and other controversial areas .
▪
Of course there is plenty of room for disagreement in this controversial area .
▪
But this has become one of the most controversial areas in environmental science today.
▪
The Prince needed sound advice, particularly as he moved into more and more controversial areas .
aspect
▪
The question of humankind's origin from the apes was one of the most controversial aspects of Darwin's theory.
▪
The discussion that follows deals with two of the more controversial aspects of the regime.
▪
Table 16-2 picks out the most controversial aspect of the tax system, the marginal rate of income tax.
▪
The most startling and controversial aspect of the shooting had been the use of a Thompson sub-machine gun.
▪
The duke's motivation is one of the most controversial aspects of the period.
▪
This is, without doubt, the most controversial aspect of food sensitivity.
▪
The most controversial aspect of the Mojave; some 80 percent would be reserved as wilderness under the legislation.
bill
▪
Commoners have been consulted and a public report will be published, before the controversial Bill is put forward.
▪
What special interests out there thought threats, harassment and intimidation were the proper ways to pass a tough, controversial bill ?
▪
Moving with unusual speed, the House is expected to approve on Friday a controversial bill to limit gay marriages.
book
▪
This controversial book was widely discussed but whether it was read by artists I leave to further research.
▪
Can schools remove controversial books from a school library?
▪
In her highly controversial book , Genetic Engineering: Dream or Nightmare?
▪
The controversial book went on sale here this week.
decision
▪
President Momoh has rarely made such a controversial decision .
▪
There were the issues of controversial decisions made by city government.
▪
A controversial decision may cost you votes, but a courageous decision will lose you the election.
▪
Replacing him with some one more pliable would be a controversial decision for any government.
figure
▪
The original was said to have included even more controversial figures .
▪
But what does Pepperdine see in Starr, a controversial figure from the highest wars of politics?
▪
Played by Philip Casnoff, Sinatra emerges as a powerful yet controversial figure .
▪
Nixon's advisers impressed upon him that such a controversial figure could not be confirmed by an overwhelmingly Democratic congress.
issue
▪
Well one of the big talking points at the Three Counties Show this year is the controversial issue of setaside.
▪
But Kemp has differed with Dole on other controversial issues .
▪
Life-style is a controversial issue , and a full analysis of the arguments is beyond the scope of this book.
▪
To be successful, a former member must have served on an influential committee and acquired expertise on controversial issues .
▪
How changes in money supply affect aggregate demand is a highly controversial issue .
▪
This is a difficult and even a controversial issue , and I do not want to confront it just yet.
▪
This type of secondary prevention does however raise serious and controversial issues about social and medical ethics.
▪
We do not want to avoid being on a program just because it represents diverse entertainment or a controversial issue .
legislation
▪
Bundesbank reform On June 17 the Bundestag gave final approval to controversial legislation reforming the structure of the federal banking system.
▪
The controversial legislation has not yet been officially approved by Parliament.
matter
▪
Needless to say, the use of offshore centres is never far from being a controversial matter .
▪
These are the more controversial matters where sometimes people have conflicting views or there are dilemmas and contradictions for people.
measure
▪
The Council of Ministers will now have to reach a decision by qualified majority on this controversial measure .
nature
▪
The extremely controversial nature of this topic makes such a project of considerable practical as well as theoretical relevance.
▪
I suppose it is a combination of the controversial nature of the thesis and the details of the framework that interest people.
▪
If these costs do not materialise, there remain the political risks associated with the controversial nature of the technology.
plan
▪
Time allowed 00:19 Read in studio A controversial plan for a bypass around Aylesbury has been delayed by county councillors.
▪
Company puts back controversial plan for waste incinerator.
▪
Even its controversial plans for the nationalization of major industries came to be accepted as part of a world built upon consensus.
policy
▪
However, in the event the congress avoided real discussion of the more controversial policy details relating to doi moi.
▪
We give them greater credence if we allow them to be grouped with other less controversial policies .
▪
Mr Parkinson now faces the challenge of selling to the electorate a controversial policy of lower subsidies and higher fares.
proposal
▪
Although the move was defeated and the renationalisation policy endorsed, party members voted to remit the controversial proposal for further consideration.
▪
Along the way, they intend to sidetrack some of President Bush's most controversial proposals , while compromising on others.
▪
One of the most controversial proposals was the abolition of benefit for the first two days of sickness.
▪
A less controversial proposal concerns passenger luggage.
▪
Wang had tendered his resignation on Oct. 7 following widespread public and cross-party criticism of his controversial proposal for land tax reforms.
▪
A less controversial proposal was a constitutional ban on the extradition of drug traffickers to stand trial in the United States.
subject
▪
Half of the parents were opinionated about controversial subjects .
▪
Tatli's movies never flinch from dealing with controversial subjects-divorce , abortion, virginity.
▪
This is a controversial subject for which not enough data are available to make a dogmatic statement.
▪
Contraception is a very controversial subject even among Christians.
▪
In this capacity, many used their fame and clout to get difficult and controversial subjects on to the screen.
▪
The reform of arbitration procedure is a controversial subject , with many wishing to detach arbitration from close adherence to litigation procedures.
topic
▪
Whatever route was chosen, water supplies would remain a controversial topic .
▪
Find a less controversial topic with which to experiment.
▪
Textbooks on research methods rarely mention the problems that arise when undertaking research on controversial topics or conducting it in sensitive locations.
▪
In fact, their relations with the parties they serve sharply restrict their ability to tackle controversial topics .
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
▪
A recent government paper on education contains some controversial new ideas.
▪
Prozac is a controversial drug used to treat depression.
▪
Rossellini's controversial film, "The Miracle"
▪
The decision to use the bomb remains the most controversial question of the Second World War.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪
Then, thanks to Labour's controversial election broadcast on health, that issue, too, was effectively neutralised.
▪
What followed was the most controversial at-bat of the game.