a relevant debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relevant debate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a topic that is significant or applicable to the current context or situation. Example: "The recent developments in climate change have sparked a relevant debate among scientists and policymakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, if Mr Blustein's book has a flaw, it is that it skates over a second, relevant, debate in global finance, which concerns exchange-rate policies.

The Economist

How politicians think about these kinds of investments, and how they intend to pay for them, would probably make for a more relevant debate this year than arguing over who created 1,000 new jobs in Canton last May, or whether the guy who sold you your Malibu can really be classified as an autoworker.

The New York Times - Magazine

A more relevant debate than external rotation bracing versus internal rotation sling may be which type of surgical intervention results in the most reliable result, a high likelihood of return to function, and a low risk of recurrent instability.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

"The documentary taps into a regrettably still relevant debate as America backslides in the wake of last year's Charlottesville protest, with white supremacist fringe groups newly emboldened in the Trump era," Rooney wrote in January.

HuffPost

But in standup, you have the opportunity to be political, if you so choose, and to advance a dialogue about a relevant, topical debate.

Huffington Post

A few years ago, a couple of articles in Lancet [ 2, 3] raised doubts regarding the validity of the majority of these trials and led to a relevant public debate.

Cancer Imaging

This is a minor issue overall; however, given the historical context of the relevant debate, it is one that the lay reader ought to bear in mind.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

There's the perfectly relevant debate as to whether women should be locked up at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

This change would allow rational, meaningful and more relevant debate on the threats facing the individual in society.

The Guardian - Opinion

The most relevant debate isn't over the necessity of working together, it's about who is allowed in the tent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wow, I've learned so much from all of this stimulating, relevant debate.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a relevant debate", ensure the context clearly establishes why the debate is significant to the topic at hand. Avoid vagueness and provide specific details that highlight the debate's importance.

Common error

Avoid labeling a debate as "relevant" without providing sufficient justification. If the connection isn't immediately apparent, explain why the debate matters in the given context to avoid confusing or misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relevant debate" functions as a noun phrase where "relevant" modifies "debate", indicating that the debate is pertinent and significant to the context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various texts.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a relevant debate" describes a discussion that is pertinent and significant to a specific context. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct phrase suitable for neutral to formal settings, often appearing in news, academic, and business contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, it serves to emphasize the importance of a discussion and its direct applicability to the topic at hand. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes why the debate is significant to avoid vagueness or misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an applicable discussion

Replaces "debate" with "discussion" and "relevant" with "applicable", slightly softening the intensity.

a pertinent argument

Substitutes "debate" with "argument" and "relevant" with "pertinent", emphasizing the direct connection to the matter at hand.

a significant controversy

Replaces "relevant debate" with "significant controversy", highlighting the importance and contentious nature of the discussion.

a topical dispute

Substitutes "relevant" with "topical", focusing on the current importance of the debate and replaces debate with dispute.

a key discussion

Replaces "relevant debate" with "key discussion", underscoring the importance of the conversation.

an important controversy

Replaces "relevant debate" with "important controversy", highlighting the relevance of the discussion.

a consequential deliberation

Substitutes "relevant" with "consequential" and "debate" with "deliberation", indicating the weighty implications of the discussion.

a crucial exchange of views

Replaces "relevant debate" with "crucial exchange of views", emphasizing the critical nature of sharing different perspectives.

a germane discourse

Substitutes "relevant" with "germane" and "debate" with "discourse", indicating the close relevance of the discussion.

a noteworthy contention

Replaces "relevant" with "noteworthy" and "debate" with "contention", highlighting the significance of the disagreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a relevant debate" to describe a discussion that is important and directly related to the topic being discussed. For example: "The ethical implications of AI are "a relevant debate" in the tech industry."

What can I say instead of "a relevant debate"?

You can use alternatives like "a pertinent argument", "an applicable discussion", or "a significant controversy" depending on the context.

How do I ensure a debate is actually "a relevant debate"?

To ensure a debate is truly a "relevant debate", make sure it directly addresses the core issues, provides meaningful insights, and contributes to a deeper understanding of the subject matter. If it doesn't, it may be a distraction rather than a valuable contribution.

What makes a debate "a relevant debate" versus just any debate?

A "relevant debate" is specifically connected to the matter at hand. It's not just any discussion, but one that directly influences or clarifies the topic being examined. Its importance or significance is evident within the context.