a separate debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a separate debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic that is distinct from the current discussion or issue at hand. Example: "While the impact of climate change is significant, the economic implications of renewable energy sources is a separate debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

That's a separate debate….

The New York Times

This new terrorism requires a separate debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Edwards then engages Leigh-Anne Pinnock in a separate debate.

The Guardian - Music

There is a separate debate to be had about whether air passenger tax is too high.

The Economist

And at the very least, we can afford to have a separate debate on how best to bolster the program.

The New York Times

In a separate debate in the Commons on Tuesday, Duncan Smith again denied UC was experiencing IT problems.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Regardless of the mechanism, bringing the suspects to the United States would ignite a whole separate debate over whether to prosecute them in the regular civilian courts or before a military commission.

Independent

We could probably do an entirely separate debate for the worst Star Wars games as well.

Vice

Rick Perry will participate in a separate, earlier debate offered by Fox News for the candidates who did not make the main event.

The Guardian

The move by the prosecutors began a series of legal hearings and a separate public debate over how executives are paid in Germany, where compensation has historically been modest by American standards but kept much more secret.

The New York Times

In a sign that capital spending can bring other problems, it emerged in a separate Commons debate that the cost of the controversial north-south, HS2 high-speed railway network had soared by £10bn, or 30%, to £42.6bn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a separate debate" to clearly signal when you're introducing a new, related but distinct topic that warrants its own focused discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a separate debate" when the topic is directly intertwined with the current one. Ensure there's enough distinction to warrant calling it a distinct debate rather than a facet of the same issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a separate debate" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It indicates that a particular topic or issue is distinct from the one currently being discussed and warrants individual consideration. This usage aligns with the Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a separate debate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a new and distinct topic for discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media sources, signaling a shift to a related but unique area of consideration. When employing this phrase, ensure the new topic genuinely warrants its own focused discussion to avoid confusing the audience. Consider alternatives like “a distinct discussion” or “a different discussion” to fine-tune the specific nuance. When analyzing the contexts, the source authority has been considered and the final expert rate is 4.1.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distinct discussion

Emphasizes the clarity and definition of the other discussion.

a different discussion

Highlights the aspect of dissimilarity in the alternative discussion.

an unrelated argument

Focuses on the lack of connection between the present and the alternative argument.

an alternative discussion

Highlights the aspect of being an alternative choice of discussion.

a tangential discussion

Indicates that the other discussion is only slightly related.

another topic for discussion

Suggests the introduction of a completely new topic rather than a debate.

a completely new issue

Emphasizes the novelty and independence of the new issue.

a separate point

Highlights a distinct idea, diverging from the current line of thought.

another matter to consider

Suggests adding another point to the agenda or aspects for individual contemplation.

a sidebar conversation

Implies a less formal, secondary discussion happening alongside the main one.

FAQs

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

Use "a separate debate" to introduce a related but distinct topic that requires its own focused discussion. For example, "While we're discussing budget cuts, the issue of tax reform is "a separate debate" altogether."

What are some alternatives to "a separate debate"?

Alternatives include "a distinct discussion", "a different discussion", or "an unrelated argument", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to introduce "a separate debate"?

It's appropriate when addressing a new, but related topic that warrants its own dedicated discussion. Ensure the new topic is distinct enough to justify its own focused consideration.

Is there a difference between "a separate debate" and "a related debate"?

Yes, "a separate debate" implies a topic that, while potentially connected, is distinct enough to warrant its own independent consideration. "A related debate" suggests a closer connection and may be more appropriately used when discussing different aspects of the same overarching issue.