a fiery debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fiery debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a passionate or intense discussion on a particular topic. Example: "The town hall meeting turned into a fiery debate over the proposed changes to the zoning laws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

We're hoping for a fiery debate! [email protected] Twitter.com: @jonesrhodri.

Independent

Not surprisingly, a fiery debate has ensued over who exactly is to blame.

The New York Times

After Sandy Hook, Adam Lanza's autism sparked a fiery debate that still burns today.

The Washington Post

During a fiery debate in parliament, Green was lambasted and described as a "billionaire spiv".

The Guardian - Business

With that, he ignited a fiery debate over the balance of power between the legislative and judicial branches in Israel.

The New York Times

So far, politicians have been arguing with newspaper groups in a fiery debate with no clear resolution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The studies entirely contradict what some other scholars have found and are bound to feed an already fiery debate over the phenomenon known as high-stakes testing, a course of educational change that teachers resent, the Bush administration embraces and states are hurriedly adopting.

The New York Times

The ruling in Edwards Aquifer Authority v. Glenn and JoLynn Bragg fuels an already fiery debate over whether groundwater can be protected alongside private property rights.

The New York Times

B1 Art vs. Religion Renée Cox, whose photo depicts Jesus as a naked woman in an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, and William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, met in fiery debate at a First Amendment Center forum.

The New York Times

'On a good day we have fiery debate' Jump to media player Clare Gilmartin, boss of Trainline, offers the business advice she wishes she'd had when she started out, as part of the BBC News series, CEO Secrets.

BBC

The incident sparked a fiery public debate and several protests decrying the inefficacy of the Gurgaon police.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fiery debate" to add vividness and emotional impact to your writing, especially when describing disagreements with strong opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "fiery" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "intense" or "vigorous" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fiery debate" functions as a noun phrase, where "fiery" modifies the noun "debate". According to Ludwig, it is used to describe a discussion or argument characterized by strong emotions and intense disagreement. Ludwig's examples show that the phrase is suitable for describing situations with high conflict.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fiery debate" is a commonly used noun phrase to describe a discussion characterized by strong emotions and intense disagreement. Analysis, supported by Ludwig, indicates it functions to emphasize the intensity of such a discussion and is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, using more neutral terms might be preferable in very formal writing. When opting to use it in your writing, make sure that you accurately represent what is a heated and emotionally charged situation. Ludwig's AI confirms the correctness and common usage of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a heated argument

Focuses on the emotional intensity and potential anger involved.

an intense discussion

Highlights the depth and focus of the exchange.

a passionate exchange

Emphasizes the strong feelings and conviction of the participants.

a spirited discussion

Suggests energy and enthusiasm in the debate.

a vigorous controversy

Points to a strong and active disagreement.

a contentious discussion

Highlights the disagreement and potential conflict.

an animated debate

Focuses on the lively and energetic nature of the discussion.

a vigorous debate

Emphasizes the strength and energy of the debate.

a contentious argument

Highlights the disputatious character of the exchange.

a lively exchange

Underlines the dynamic and engaging quality of the debate.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fiery debate" to describe a situation where people are passionately arguing about something. For example, "The proposal sparked "a fiery debate" among the committee members".

What are some alternatives to "a fiery debate"?

Some alternatives to "a fiery debate" include "a heated argument", "an intense discussion", or "a passionate exchange", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a fiery debate"?

It's appropriate to use "a fiery debate" when you want to emphasize the strong emotions and disagreements involved in a discussion. It works well in news articles, opinion pieces, and descriptive writing.

Is "a fiery debate" a cliché?

While "a fiery debate" is a common phrase, it's not necessarily a cliché. Its effectiveness depends on the context and whether it accurately reflects the intensity of the discussion. Overusing it, however, could diminish its impact; consider alternatives like "a vigorous controversy" to avoid repetition.