a debate that

USAGE SUMMARY

"a debate that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a debate or discussion that is about to take place or has already taken place. For example, "The students held a debate that focused on the pros and cons of banning plastic straws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's a debate that should be had.

The Guardian

It is a debate that continues today.

The Guardian

It is a debate that goes back thousands of years.

The Economist

Nonetheless, that is a debate that should be held openly.

The New York Times - Science

This is a debate that lives to this day.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was a debate that split national opinion.

The Guardian

It's the continuation of a debate that also covers downloads.

The Guardian

It is a debate that has split the school's faculty.

The New York Times

Some of the most vivid political rhetoric of 2012 reflects a debate that has lasted centuries.

The New York Times

This is a debate that is being conducted for the right wing".

The New York Times

It had eagerly joined a debate that has roiled Europe for almost a decade.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a debate that" to introduce a specific aspect, consequence, or characteristic of a debate. It helps connect the debate to further information or analysis.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms for "debate" or rephrasing to describe the debate more directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a debate that" functions as a relative clause introducing further information about the debate. It connects the noun "debate" to a defining or non-defining clause, providing details about its characteristics, scope, or impact. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a debate that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce a relative clause that provides further details or specifications about a debate. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts. For alternative phrasing, consider "a discussion that" or "a controversy that". While effective, avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. This phrase is suitable for various registers, with its formality primarily determined by the surrounding vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a discussion that

Replaces "debate" with "discussion", implying a less formal exchange.

a controversy that

Substitutes "debate" with "controversy", highlighting the element of disagreement.

an argument that

Replaces "debate" with "argument", emphasizing a more contentious exchange.

a dispute that

Uses "dispute" instead of "debate", suggesting a formal disagreement.

a deliberation that

Replaces "debate" with "deliberation", implying a thoughtful and careful discussion.

a conversation that

Substitutes "debate" with "conversation", suggesting a more informal exchange of ideas.

a discourse that

Replaces "debate" with "discourse", which implies a more structured and formal discussion.

a contention that

Uses "contention" to describe the debate emphasizing that there is a point that is being argued for.

a disagreement that

Replaces "debate" with "disagreement", directly focusing on the lack of consensus.

an exchange that

Suggests that there are back and forth elements in the debate.

FAQs

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

Use "a debate that" to introduce a relative clause specifying an attribute or characteristic of a debate, for example, "This is "a debate that" is still ongoing".

What are some alternatives to "a debate that"?

Consider using phrases like "a discussion that", "a controversy that", or "an argument that" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "a debate that" formal or informal?

"A debate that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure will influence the overall formality. In more formal contexts, consider using more precise language to clarify the nature of the debate.

What makes "a debate that" effective in writing?

The effectiveness of "a debate that" lies in its ability to clearly link a debate to its specific aspects or implications. Using it effectively helps to maintain focus and clarity in your writing.