a disputable issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a disputable issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a topic or matter that is open to debate or disagreement. Example: "The proposed policy change has become a disputable issue among the stakeholders, leading to heated discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The taxonomy of Fusarium spp. has always been a disputable issue [ 1, 8] and is known as a genus in which it is difficult to distinguish species [ 9].

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The larger the electorate, the smaller the chances of a disputable outcome.

The New Yorker

Well, in a national popular-vote election, a disputable result — one close enough to be theoretically reversible via a recount — could be expected to occur at intervals ranging between once every 640 and once every 1,328 years.

The New Yorker

I knew that some would not regard this as a disputable matter.

Huffington Post

Drawing from theologian Roger Olson's work, Wilson regards the "homosexuality" debates as a "disputable matter".

Huffington Post

Rather, the third way is rooted in a discernment that the time has come to regard this narrow question as a "disputable matter" -- something over which faithful Christians can differ while maintaining the unity of the Spirit.

Huffington Post

The nub of the third way involves regarding the morality of same-sex covenantal partnerships as a "disputable matter" and refusing to exclude people who are gay from full participation in the church.

Huffington Post

In spite of all the disputable issues we indicated spots correlated with metastases in the set of patients.

BMC Cancer

Additionally, too few of our data analyses reached statistical significance, which led to insufficient credibility to draw conclusions for some potentially disputable issues.

BMJ Open

Thus, the animal cell studies, live animal studies, and chemical structure analyses on which petitioners had relied could not raise by themselves a reasonably disputable jury issue regarding causation.

Cornell University

Security design is a complex and ambiguous task not made any easier by ignorant gotcha journalism that can't distinguish between an disputable compromise and a "backdoor".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a disputable issue", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the issue disputable. Provide supporting evidence or different viewpoints to enhance clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a disputable issue" when there is a clear consensus or overwhelming evidence supporting one side. Overstating the disputability can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a disputable issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "disputable" modifies the noun "issue". It serves to identify a specific subject or point that is open to disagreement or debate. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various domains to introduce matters of contention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a disputable issue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce topics open to debate or disagreement. According to Ludwig, it's employed across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, highlighting its versatility. Several alternatives, such as "a debatable matter" and "a contentious point", can be used depending on the specific nuance required. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates why the issue is disputable and avoid overstating the disputability when a consensus exists. The phrase maintains a generally neutral to formal register, making it suitable for objective and nuanced discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a debatable matter

This alternative focuses on the aspect of being open to debate, similar to the original phrase but using "matter" instead of "issue".

a contentious point

This alternative highlights the potential for disagreement and argument, emphasizing the controversial nature of the issue.

a controversial topic

This phrase emphasizes the polarizing nature of the issue, suggesting it is likely to provoke strong opposing opinions.

an open question

This suggests the issue is unresolved and still subject to discussion and exploration.

a questionable subject

This alternative implies doubt or uncertainty surrounding the issue, suggesting it may not be easily resolved.

a contested area

This phrase suggests a territory of thought where different sides are competing, rather than cooperating.

a problematic concern

This alternative focuses on the difficulties or troubles associated with the issue.

a vexed question

This option implies that the issue is difficult to deal with and causes much debate and worry.

an arguable point

Similar to "debatable", this focuses on the capacity of the issue to be argued for or against.

a moot point

This implies that the issue is no longer of practical significance or is purely academic.

FAQs

What does "a disputable issue" mean?

The phrase "a disputable issue" refers to a topic or matter that is subject to disagreement or debate. It suggests that there are valid arguments on multiple sides of the issue.

How can I use "a disputable issue" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a topic where there are conflicting opinions or a lack of consensus. For example, "The effectiveness of the new policy remains "a disputable issue" among economists."

What are some alternatives to "a disputable issue"?

Alternatives include "a debatable matter", "a contentious point", or "a controversial topic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a disputable issue" or "a questionable issue"?

While both are valid, "a disputable issue" emphasizes the existence of opposing arguments, whereas "a questionable issue" suggests that the validity or merit of the issue is in doubt.