a familiar debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a familiar debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a discussion or argument that is well-known or commonly encountered in a particular context. Example: "The issue of climate change often leads to a familiar debate about the balance between economic growth and environmental protection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

This is a familiar debate.

The New York Times

But this is a familiar debate in the economics literature.

The New York Times

The questions go to the heart of a familiar debate: Is chess talent innate or nurtured?

The New York Times

It has become a familiar debate, especially for breast cancer, with no clear answer in sight.

The New York Times

Echoes of the period leading up to the Iraq war in 2003 are unmistakable, igniting a familiar debate over whether journalists are overstating Iran's progress toward a bomb.

The New York Times

But now a familiar debate has broken out – around the employment effects that are likely to come from these new technologies.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But the fact that it almost did not happen — that a judge had to decide on the very day of the event whether to allow it— has reignited an increasingly familiar debate here: When does someone's really good time become the bane of someone else's existence?

The New York Times

The question of why young Muslims from all over the world join the so-called Islamic State has once again ignited a polarized and familiar debate.

Huffington Post

What had been an old and familiar debate in the contest took on new vigor as the candidates who are in Congress clashed over the vote on the funds, which exposed new fissures among the Democratic candidates.

The New York Times

Our analysis thus adds a different twist on the familiar debate about providing subsidies through the tax system, instead of through direct expenditures or favorable regulatory treatment.

Columbia University

British politicians in general refused to be drawn into what has become a familiar public debate about whether Britain is targeted by terrorists because of its alliance with the United States in Iraq, Afghanistan and the diplomacy relating to Lebanon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a familiar debate", briefly summarize the key points if your audience may not be intimately familiar with all its nuances.

Common error

Avoid using "a familiar debate" too frequently in a single piece of writing. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "a recurring argument" or "a common disagreement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a familiar debate" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific instance of an argument or discussion that is already known or recognized. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a familiar debate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to introduce topics or arguments that are well-known or recurring, primarily in news, media, and academic contexts. While the phrase is common, it's important to consider variations in language to prevent repetitive writing. Alternatives like "a recurring argument" or "a common disagreement" can provide variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a recurring argument

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the argument.

a repeated discussion

Emphasizes the recurring nature of the discussion.

a common disagreement

Focuses on the lack of agreement that is often encountered.

a frequent controversy

Highlights the high frequency of the controversy.

a well-worn controversy

Highlights the overused and possibly tiresome nature of the controversy.

a conventional disagreement

Focuses on the standard disagreement that is often encountered.

a long-standing dispute

Underscores the extended duration of the disagreement.

a typical contention

Indicates the argument is standard and predictable.

a traditional controversy

Highlights the roots in tradition.

an old argument

Highlights the lack of novelty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a familiar debate" to refer to a well-known or recurring argument. For example: "The issue of gun control is often met with "a familiar debate" about Second Amendment rights."

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

You can use alternatives like "a recurring argument", "a common disagreement", or "a well-worn controversy" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a familiar debate"?

While "familiar" might imply something already known, ""a familiar debate"" is a common phrase used to introduce well-known issues, so it's generally not considered redundant.

What's the difference between "a familiar debate" and "a current debate"?

"A familiar debate" implies a discussion that has occurred many times before, while "a current debate" refers to a discussion happening now, without necessarily implying prior occurrences.