a protracted debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a protracted debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a debate that is lengthy and drawn out, often involving extensive discussion or disagreement. Example: "The committee engaged in a protracted debate over the proposed changes to the policy, with members expressing differing opinions for hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Or will their own party bring them down with a protracted debate on climate change policies?

The Guardian

Instead of a quick decision, he got a protracted debate that continued into the weekend.

The New York Times

Ms. Achtenberg, who was ultimately confirmed as Mr. Clinton's assistant secretary for housing — after a protracted debate — agrees.

The New York Times

"So I wonder why we are starting this new Congress with a protracted debate about a foregone conclusion..

The New York Times

This election has seen a protracted debate about how much support for Trump is rooted in racism.

The Washington Post

Edward Wyatt reports that airport authorities warn that a protracted debate could endanger airport safety and cause passenger delays at the height of the summer travel season.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The release of the harrowing video of Scott's death intensified an already protracted debate on the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color, and Scott's name became a rallying cry for supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement and police reformers.

Huffington Post

-- The Senate confirmed Steven Mnuchin as treasury secretary in a 53-47 vote, capping a contentious and protracted debate while adding another former banker to Trump's roster of advisers.

The Washington Post

Everything came to a head in the famed 'blocksize debate', which saw an acrimonious and protracted debate between conflicting ideas and scaling proposals that ended up in a number of Bitcoin forks, with the most notable being Bitcoin Cash, which supports 32MB blocks.

Forbes

The Republicans on Friday had drawn up about 100 amendments and were promising a contentious and protracted debate.

The New York Times

"What we do not want is a long and protracted debate around the growth strategy".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a protracted debate" to emphasize the length and possibly the complexity or contentiousness of a discussion. It's particularly useful when describing political, legal, or social issues.

Common error

Avoid using "a protracted debate" for everyday disagreements. It's best suited for formal or significant situations where the debate's length is a notable characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a protracted debate" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a debate characterized by its extended duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a protracted debate" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a debate that is extended in duration, often due to its complexity or contentiousness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It is particularly suited for formal contexts like political and social issues, as evidenced by its prevalence in news media sources. While alternatives such as "a lengthy discussion" exist, "protracted" adds a specific emphasis on the drawn-out nature of the debate. Use this phrase judiciously to highlight the duration and potential complexity of the discussion at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lengthy discussion

Focuses on the duration of the discussion, similar to 'protracted' but less formal.

a drawn-out argument

Emphasizes the extended nature of the disagreement or dispute.

an extended deliberation

Highlights the careful and lengthy consideration of a topic.

a prolonged dispute

Focuses on the duration of the disagreement.

a long-running controversy

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the contentious issue.

a never-ending discussion

Highlights that discussion has no forseeable end.

a perennial argument

Highlights that the discussion comes up from time to time.

a sustained controversy

Highlights that the controversy has a tendency to continue.

a continuing discussion

Highlights that discussion goes on and on.

an endless disagreement

Highlights that disagreement seems not to have an end.

FAQs

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

You can use "a protracted debate" to describe a discussion that has lasted for a long time, such as "The new policy was the subject of "a protracted debate" in Congress."

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

Alternatives include "a lengthy discussion", "an extended deliberation", or "a prolonged dispute", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a protracted debate" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a protracted debate" is generally more suited for formal writing. In informal contexts, phrases like "a long discussion" might be more appropriate.

What makes a debate "protracted"?

A debate becomes "protracted" when it extends significantly in time, often due to complex issues, strong disagreements, or the need for thorough consideration. If it helps, think about "a lengthy discussion" and how the word protracted adds to that initial description.