a debate among

USAGE SUMMARY

"a debate among" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that several people are discussing something together. For example, "The students had a debate among themselves over the best way to approach the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Leavitt represents one pole in a debate among Republicans.

The New York Times

"It's really a debate among neighbors," he said.

The New York Times

The book provoked a debate among constitutional lawyers.

The New York Times

The first has been a debate among Muslims themselves.

The Guardian

There is a debate among contemporary mathematicians about what it really means by a fractional derivative.

Journal of Computational Physics

The presence of prescribing nurses has provoked a debate among medical and nursing corporations.

Nurse Education Today

The litigation had also spurred a debate among likely mayoral candidates.

The New York Times

A debate among Republican candidates, hosted by MSNBC and Politico, was planned for that time.

The New York Times

There was then a debate among several afternoon regulars in the shade off the courts.

The New York Times - Sports

The message provoked a debate among bloggers and music writers about what constitutes an album sale.

The New York Times

Iserloh's assertion set off a debate among Luther historians that remains unresolved.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a debate among", ensure that the participants involved are clearly identified either before or after the phrase to provide context for the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a debate among" without specifying the subject of the debate. Always clarify the topic under discussion to provide context and prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a debate among" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the subject of disagreement or discussion. It sets the stage for identifying the involved parties and the topic of contention. Ludwig shows many examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a debate among" is a commonly used phrase that effectively introduces a discussion or disagreement involving multiple participants. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it is most frequently found in news and media, science, and academic contexts. The phrase serves to inform the audience about the existence of differing viewpoints and the involved parties. While generally neutral in register, it benefits from specifying the subject of the debate and the participants involved to enhance clarity. For alternative expressions, consider using phrases like "a discussion between" or "a dispute between", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a discussion between

Focuses on the exchange of ideas rather than contention.

a disagreement between

A more general term for differing opinions.

a dispute between

Implies a stronger disagreement than "debate".

a controversy among

Highlights the existence of widespread public disagreement.

an argument between

Suggests a heated exchange with potentially unresolved conflict.

a deliberation among

Emphasizes a thoughtful and careful consideration of different perspectives.

a conflict between

Implies a serious clash of interests or ideas.

an exchange of views among

Formal and neutral way to express a discussion.

a discourse among

Suggests a formal and structured discussion.

a conversation between

Implies an informal exchange of ideas.

FAQs

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

You can use "a debate among" to indicate a discussion or disagreement between multiple parties. For example, "There is "a debate among" scientists about the effects of climate change."

What's a more formal alternative to "a debate among"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "a deliberation among" or "a discourse among". These phrases suggest a more structured and thoughtful exchange of ideas.

How does "a debate among" differ from "a dispute between"?

"A debate among" typically implies a more structured and reasoned discussion, whereas "a dispute between" suggests a more heated and potentially unresolved conflict.

Is it always necessary to specify who is involved in "a debate among"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the participants in "a debate among" provides clarity and context for the reader. It helps to understand the perspectives being discussed.