a different debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a different debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a topic or discussion that is separate from the current one being addressed. Example: "While the issue of climate change is important, the impact of pollution on public health is a different debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"Whether we failed miserably, well, that's a different debate".

The New York Times

Maybe we aren't proper Europeans – but that's a different debate.

The Guardian

"There's a different debate about whether the Tories won, which you could have.

The Guardian

You can talk about the English players and that is sort of a different debate, a different argument.

The Guardian - Sport

are encouraging people to share their stories to try and get a different debate going about benefits.

Independent

Asked whether the benefit of the doubt should be given to the victim, rather than the offender, as at present, Barton said: "That's a different debate.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Four hours north in Gary, a predominantly black city of 100,000, a vastly different debate has been simmering in the days before the primary on Tuesday: a Clinton supporter has questioned the school system's decision to bus high school seniors to the county courthouse for early voting, field trips that some said looked like a way to try to produce higher numbers for Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

The term "supposed" opens up a whole different debate, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If you eliminated them, this would be a very different debate.

The New York Times

"It's a very different debate than the people who don't want to fight at all".

The New York Times

That's a very different debate, with significant merits on the side of what Governor Bush has introduced".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a different debate" to clearly signal a transition to a new, related but distinct, topic within a broader discussion to keep arguments organized and focused.

Common error

Avoid using "a different debate" when you're merely offering a supporting point to the current argument. This phrase signals a significant shift, not a minor addition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a different debate" functions as an introductory phrase, signaling a transition to a new, distinct discussion point. Ludwig AI indicates this is a valid and commonly used construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a different debate" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to introduce a new and distinct topic, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's valuable for clear communication across various registers, primarily found in news, scientific, and business contexts. Remember to use it judiciously to signal genuine shifts in focus, rather than as a mere connector. Alternatives like "an alternative discussion" or "a separate argument" can be considered for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an alternative discussion

Emphasizes the existence of another discussion point.

a separate argument

Focuses on the existence of a distinct disagreement or line of reasoning.

another perspective

Highlights a differing viewpoint or angle on a situation.

a distinct discussion

Stresses the uniqueness and separateness of the discussion.

a new line of reasoning

Highlights the introduction of a different thought process.

a contrasting viewpoint

Highlights the opposing or differing nature of the perspective.

a diverging discussion

Focuses on how the discussion is moving away from the initial topic.

an unrelated issue

Emphasizes the lack of connection between the current topic and another issue.

a tangential argument

Highlights the indirect connection to the original topic.

a completely different topic

Highlights a strong separation from the previous subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "a different debate" to introduce a related but separate topic. For example, "While we've discussed the budget, the allocation of resources is "a different debate"."

What can I say instead of "a different debate"?

You can use alternatives like "an alternative discussion", "a separate argument", or "another perspective" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to introduce "a different debate" when shifting topics?

No, it's not always necessary. Use "a different debate" when the new topic is significantly distinct and warrants a separate discussion. If it's a closely related subtopic, a simple transition may suffice.

What's the difference between "a different debate" and "a related debate"?

"A different debate" indicates that the new topic is distinct from the previous one, while "a related debate" implies a direct connection and overlap between the two. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the relationship between the topics.