a longstanding debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a longstanding debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a discussion or argument that has been ongoing for a significant period of time. Example: "The issue of climate change has been a longstanding debate among scientists and policymakers for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The findings could help settle a longstanding debate about antidepressants.

The New York Times

There is a longstanding debate among economists about the importance of confidence.

The New York Times

The EP-3E debacle fuelled a longstanding debate within the military and in the Obama Administration.

The New Yorker

But in doing so, they have reignited a longstanding debate about the role of forced treatment.

The New York Times

The verdicts revived a longstanding debate among officials who deal with terrorism.

The New York Times

There is a longstanding debate among waterfowl managers that Seymour would like to see resolved.

The New York Times - Sports

The report, published in Nature last week, offers new evidence in a longstanding debate about how organisms evolve.

The New York Times - Science

The American approach is also likely to exacerbate a longstanding debate about the most effective way to reduce drug cultivation.

The New York Times

Mr. Cuomo's proposal restarts a longstanding debate in Albany: whether the SUNY system has sacrificed, or should sacrifice, some of its academic and research aspirations to maximize affordability.

The New York Times

Norway has recently tightened its liberal immigration and asylum rules in the midst of a longstanding debate about assimilation and multiculturalism.

The New York Times

There is a longstanding debate about the meaning of surplus, especially when a service is pervasive, shaping many aspects of the economy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a longstanding debate", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific topic or issue that has been debated for an extended period. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a longstanding debate" if the debate is relatively recent or hasn't gained significant traction over time. Using a more accurate descriptor, like "a current discussion", will maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a longstanding debate" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific type of discussion characterized by its prolonged duration, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a longstanding debate" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an issue that has been discussed or argued over a significant period. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent use in news media, scientific literature, and formal business contexts. When writing, ensure that you accurately represent the duration and scope of the debate to maintain credibility. While synonyms like "an ongoing dispute" and "a protracted argument" exist, "a longstanding debate" specifically emphasizes the extended history of the discussion. Remembering this nuance will help ensure accuracy and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ongoing dispute

Replaces "debate" with "dispute", emphasizing disagreement.

a protracted argument

Substitutes "debate" with "argument", highlighting conflict and extended duration.

an enduring controversy

Uses "controversy" instead of "debate", suggesting public disagreement and replaces "longstanding" with "enduring".

a perennial question

Replaces "debate" with "question", implying recurring inquiry rather than direct opposition.

a long-running contention

Emphasizes the persistent nature of the disagreement with "contention".

an age-old discussion

Replaces "longstanding" with "age-old", suggesting a very old issue.

a chronic disagreement

Focuses on the recurring and persistent nature of the disagreement.

a continuing point of contention

Highlights the ongoing disagreement and central issue.

a historical disagreement

Replacing "longstanding" with "historical" highlights that it has existed during a portion of history.

an established difference of opinion

Emphasizes the formal and recognized nature of the differing viewpoints.

FAQs

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

You can use "a longstanding debate" to refer to an issue that has been discussed or argued for a considerable amount of time. For example, "There is "a longstanding debate" about the effectiveness of certain economic policies".

What are some alternatives to "a longstanding debate"?

Alternatives include "an ongoing dispute", "a protracted argument", or "an enduring controversy", each emphasizing different aspects of the discussion or disagreement.

Is it better to say "a longstanding debate" or "a long debate"?

"A longstanding debate" emphasizes the duration and historical context of the discussion, while "a long debate" simply indicates the length of a single instance of discussion. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the history or the duration.

What's the difference between "a longstanding debate" and "a recurring debate"?

"A longstanding debate" indicates a debate that has persisted over a long period. "A recurring debate" suggests that the debate happens multiple times, potentially with interruptions. The emphasis is on the continuous presence versus the repetition of the debate.