a first debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a first debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial debate in a series or the first debate on a particular topic. Example: "The candidates will participate in a first debate on climate change next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A first debate among Republicans vying for their party's nomination was notable in part because of its isolationist tone.

Independent

Not since 1960 has a presidential contest been this close on the eve of a first debate.

The New York Times

Presidential polls tightened after a first debate in which Mr Obama struggled to defend his economic record against the attacks of his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney.

The Economist

But then he was asked about Ms McCaskill's performance in a first debate between them a week ago when she came out, we can say, swinging.

Independent

Nielsen, a television measurement company, said 67.2 million viewers watched on television at home — the highest number for a first debate since 1980.

The New York Times

Discussion was divided into a first debate on whether Catholicism was over-obsessed with sex, but I was to join a second: is the Catholic church a force for good?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The senator's aides are now promising a second debate.

The New York Times

A second debate is scheduled for today in Seattle.

The New York Times

Looking for more time, looking for a second debate, looking for second vote.

The Guardian

Ms. McClung debated Mr. Grijalva once but then backed out of a second debate last week, citing a scheduling conflict.

The New York Times

A second debate, a week later — on foreign policy — showed both Cameron and Brown to have taken crash remedial lessons in telecommunication.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific debate that occurred, specify the context (e.g., "a first debate on climate change") to provide clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "a" before "first debate" when it's grammatically required. Omitting it can create an ungrammatical sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a first debate" typically functions as a noun phrase that identifies an initial discussion or confrontation on a specific topic or within a specific series. The phrase is correctly formed according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a first debate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the opening round of a debate series. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as a noun phrase identifying an initial discussion. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for news, academic, and informative contexts. While not extremely common, the phrase is readily understood and correctly used, particularly when specifying the context to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use the article "a" when referring to one specific opening debate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial debate

Focuses on the temporal aspect of being the starting point of a series of debates.

opening debate

Emphasizes the act of beginning a series of debates or a discussion on a topic.

inaugural debate

Highlights the ceremonial or formal start of a debate series.

preliminary debate

Suggests a debate that precedes more significant or formal debates.

primary debate

Indicates the debate is fundamental or of utmost importance.

first round of debates

Specifies that this is the initial stage in a series of debates.

debut debate

Highlights the newness or introduction of a debate format or participant.

maiden debate

Implies the debate is the first of its kind or a novel occurrence.

original debate

Points out the debate is the first or the source from which others derive.

introductory debate

Highlights the role of the debate as an introduction to a broader topic or series.

FAQs

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

You can use "a first debate" to refer to the initial debate in a series of debates, such as "The candidates will participate in "a first debate" on economic policy next week."

What is a good alternative to "a first debate"?

Alternatives include "initial debate", "opening debate", or "inaugural debate", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "first debate" instead of "a first debate"?

While "first debate" is sometimes used, "a first debate" is often more grammatically correct when referring to one specific event in a series. The article "a" specifies that it is one particular debate out of possibly many.

What distinguishes "a first debate" from "the first debate"?

"A first debate" refers to any initial debate in a given context, whereas "the first debate" implies a specific, already defined first debate. For example, "a first debate" might refer to the initial debate in a series of local debates, whereas "the first debate" might refer to the nationally televised debate.