external conflict
C1Formal, Academic, Literary Analysis
Definition
Meaning
A struggle between a character (or group) and an outside force such as another character, society, nature, or technology.
In a broader context, any opposition, clash, or disagreement between distinct, separate entities or systems, such as between companies (business), nations (politics), or competing ideologies.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a literary and academic term. It's often contrasted with 'internal conflict'. While 'conflict' alone is more general, 'external conflict' specifies the source of opposition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or definitional differences. Both use the term identically in literary and academic contexts.
Connotations
Equally formal and technical in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in academic/literary settings. Rare in casual everyday conversation in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
external conflict between X and Yexternal conflict with XX faces/resolves/creates an external conflictVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Man vs. Nature”
- “Man vs. Society”
- “Man vs. Man”
- “at odds with the world”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to disputes or competition with other companies, market forces, or regulatory bodies (e.g., 'The firm's main external conflict is with its competitors').
Academic
A key term in literary analysis, political science, and conflict studies to describe inter-group or inter-state disputes.
Everyday
Rarely used. Might describe a personal argument with someone outside one's immediate family or group.
Technical
Used in narrative design (game development, screenwriting) and psychology to categorize types of strife.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The external-conflict dynamics were analysed.
- An external-conflict scenario was proposed.
American English
- The external-conflict analysis was thorough.
- An external-conflict situation arose.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The film shows an external conflict between the hero and the villain.
- Their external conflict was about land.
- The protagonist's primary external conflict is with the corrupt government, while her internal conflict is with her own fear.
- Trade tariffs created a significant external conflict between the two nations.
- Scholars argue that the narrative's central tension stems not from internal doubt but from a multifaceted external conflict with societal norms.
- The corporation's external conflicts, ranging from regulatory battles to activist pressure, shaped its public strategy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think EXTERNAL = EXIT. The conflict comes from outside, forcing the character to EXIT their comfort zone.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS WAR (with an external enemy), CONFLICT IS A JOURNEY (with external obstacles).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'внешний конфликт' for everyday disputes; it sounds overly literary/technical. Use 'ссора/проблема с кем-то извне' for casual contexts.
- Do not confuse with 'наружный конфликт' (which implies physical location). 'Внешний' is correct for the abstract concept.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They external conflicted'). It's a noun phrase only.
- Confusing it with 'external *to* the conflict' (which means 'not involved in the conflict').
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'argument', 'fight', or 'problem' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes an 'external conflict'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It can be physical (a fight), social (against society's rules), or ideological (a clash of ideas), as long as the opposing force originates outside the character's self.
'Conflict' is the general term for any struggle. 'External conflict' is a specific subtype where the struggle is with an outside force, as opposed to an 'internal conflict' which happens within a character's mind.
Yes, most complex narratives feature both. The external conflict (e.g., a war) often drives the plot, while the internal conflict (e.g., a soldier's guilt) develops the character's depth.
Primarily, but it's also used in academic fields like political science, sociology, and business to describe conflicts between distinct entities (e.g., countries, social groups, companies).