a hot debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a hot debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion or argument that is intense, passionate, or contentious. Example: "The committee held a hot debate over the proposed changes to the policy, with strong opinions on both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

All of this makes Israel a hot debate topic.

The New York Times

A hot debate broke out over whether a Muslim could ever be Prime Minister of India.

The New Yorker

By framing the subject as it does, however, the Time article will start a hot debate over the wrong question.

The New York Times

The question of chemical residues on the food we eat is the subject of a hot debate.

The New Yorker

"There used to be a hot debate over even setting a timetable," said Benjamin J. Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser.

The New York Times

The world's first 3D-printed gun, christened "the Liberator" and designed by Texan law student Cody Wilson, still causing a hot debate around new manufacturing technologies.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The book is sure to be a hot debating point this summer in the American Jewish community and possibly beyond.

Huffington Post

"We've had a really hot debate about the whole college admissions thing and being a person of color versus being a normal majority," Will said.

The New York Times

"It's a big, hot debate," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"In many of the closed-door meetings, with five or six or ten scientists sitting around the table, this becomes a very hot debate," Thornburg said.

The New Yorker

Which storage architectures win out is a current hot debate among bitheads.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a hot debate" to emphasize the intensity and high level of engagement surrounding a particular topic. For example, "The environmental policy became a hot debate during the election cycle."

Common error

Avoid using "a hot debate" when the discussion is merely lengthy or complex, rather than emotionally charged or contentious. Opt for a more neutral term like "extensive discussion" if the intensity isn't a key factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a hot debate" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a period of intense discussion and disagreement, as validated by Ludwig's AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a hot debate" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a period of intense discussion and disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the described debate is genuinely intense and emotionally charged, not simply lengthy or complex. Alternatives like "a heated argument" or "a vigorous discussion" can offer similar meanings, depending on the desired nuance. The phrase is appropriate for neutral register, but might be replaced by something more formal in academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a heated argument

Replaces "debate" with "argument", emphasizing the potentially confrontational nature of the discussion.

a vigorous discussion

Substitutes "hot" with "vigorous", highlighting the energetic and active exchange of ideas.

an intense controversy

Uses "controversy" instead of "debate", focusing on the disagreement and potential conflict.

a lively dispute

Replaces "hot" with "lively", suggesting an animated and engaging disagreement.

a passionate exchange

Focuses on the emotional intensity of the discussion by using "passionate exchange".

a contentious issue

Shifts the focus to the subject of the debate being contentious.

a fierce disagreement

Emphasizes the strength and intensity of the disagreement.

a spirited discussion

Uses "spirited" to describe the energy and enthusiasm of the discussion.

a crucial argument

Highlights the importance and criticality of the argument.

a burning question

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the question being debated.

FAQs

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

You can use "a hot debate" to describe a situation where there is strong disagreement and passionate discussion about a particular topic. For example: "The proposed tax reform sparked "a hot debate" among economists and policymakers."

What's a good alternative to "a hot debate"?

Alternatives to "a hot debate" include "a heated argument", "a vigorous discussion", or "an intense controversy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a hot debate" in formal writing?

While "a hot debate" is widely understood, in very formal or academic writing, you might consider a more neutral and precise term like "a significant disagreement" or "a contentious issue".

What makes a debate "hot"?

A debate becomes "hot" when it involves strong emotions, deeply held beliefs, and significant consequences, leading to intense and often polarized discussion.