a clear debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion or argument that is straightforward, well-defined, and easy to understand. Example: "The panelists engaged in a clear debate about the implications of climate change policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"What I was simply trying to say is the country hasn't had a clear debate about federalism," he said.

The New York Times

We divide them into "hard" fallacies for which a short mathematical argument demonstrates that a particular statement is wrong or meaningless, and "soft" fallacies for which approximate physical arguments can be opposed, but we contend that a clear debate is overdue and wishful thinking has been involved.

Progress in Aerospace Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The committee argued the Jack amendment would lead to a clearer debate.

The Guardian

There is a crystal clear debate within the Labour party about how fast to reduce the deficit.

The Economist

A particularly clear debate on this topic is the Lewis-BonJour controversy over the possibility of justification by coherence from scratch, which we will examine more closely in section 5.

SEP

Republicans won't even share the text until it's scored by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)—a clear bid to bypass public debate for what promises to be a very controversial and probably unpopular bill.

Vice

Ms Stone said there needed to be an "open and clear" debate on the issue.

BBC

As the MI5 report along with the prime minister's statement on terrorism both nicely coincide with the re-opening of the debate on extending detention periods for terror suspects well beyond 28 days, one would expect an open, transparent and clear debate on whether the line we are pursuing, as a point of principle, is actually working or not.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not an argument for censorship, it's an argument for an even more open and clear debate".

The Economist

If we ever get a clear national debate about health care and taxes, I don't see how President Bush will win it.

The New York Times

"There is an absence of a clear, coherent debate around this subject in this country and it's a very big issue that will only become more frequent the more technologically dependent we become".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity in your writing, use "a clear debate" to signal a discussion where points are easily understood and arguments are well-defined.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex vocabulary or sentence structures when describing what should be a straightforward and understandable discussion. Keep your description as direct as the debate itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear debate" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'clear' modifies the noun 'debate.' This indicates the debate is easily understood and well-defined. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a clear debate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a straightforward and easily understandable discussion. According to Ludwig, it appears across various contexts, including news, media and scientific publications, marking it as a versatile option. For alternatives, consider phrases like "a transparent discussion" or "a straightforward argument", to enhance clarity and prevent potential misinterpretations. Remember to prioritize directness and simplicity to maintain the essence of "a clear debate" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a transparent discussion

Emphasizes the openness and honesty of the exchange.

a straightforward argument

Highlights the directness and simplicity of the reasoning.

an unambiguous discussion

Focuses on the lack of confusion or multiple interpretations.

a well-defined debate

Stresses the structured and organized nature of the discussion.

a lucid exchange

Highlights the clarity and ease of understanding in the conversation.

a comprehensible argument

Emphasizes the ability to be easily understood.

an intelligible discussion

Focuses on the clarity and understandability of the topic.

a plain debate

Stresses the simplicity and lack of embellishment in the discourse.

an accessible argument

Highlights the ease with which the argument can be understood by a wide audience.

an articulate discussion

Emphasizes the skillful and effective expression of ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear debate" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear debate" to describe a discussion where the points are easily understood, for instance, "The candidates engaged in "a clear debate" about economic policy".

What's a good alternative to "a clear debate"?

Alternatives include "a transparent discussion", "a straightforward argument", or "an unambiguous discussion", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "a clear debate" or "a transparent debate"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a clear debate" focuses on understandability, while "a transparent debate" emphasizes openness and honesty in the discussion.

What makes "a clear debate" different from a regular debate?

The adjective "clear" suggests that the arguments, issues, and positions in the debate are presented in an easily understandable and unambiguous manner, which is not always the case in every debate.