a strong debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion or argument that is intense, vigorous, or passionate, often involving differing opinions. Example: "The committee held a strong debate on the proposed changes to the policy, with members expressing their views passionately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He supposedly needed a strong debate performance to have any chance against George W Bush.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now there will be a strong debate about his participation in the South Africa series.

The Guardian - Sport

Kerry may have impressed much of the television audience with a strong debate performance Thursday night.

The Washington Post

"But candidates in both parties still need a strong debate performance to really close the deal with voters".

The New York Times

But he also endorsed the idea of a strong debate: "I actually don't think a primary is a bad thing.

The New Yorker

Votes in Florida 2008 – voted McCain 2012 – undecied Vice President Biden had a strong debate yet his smirking, smiling, and laughing was distracting to me.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The chancellor's seemingly endless recitation of micro measures to improve the nation's education and general economic competitiveness puts him in a strong debating position, because every time he is criticised he can retort that necessary investment must be preferable to tax cuts.

The Guardian - Business

But for now it gives Obama a strong debating weapon.

Huffington Post

Mr. Cheney, whom strategists in both parties said delivered a stronger debate performance than President Bush had a week earlier, mocked the Democrats, accusing them of engaging in little more than "tough talk" on national defense matters in the heat of a campaign.

The New York Times

And on Saturday night Bush had a notably strong debate, getting into an exchange with Trump over eminent domain that ended with Trump saying that the audience was full of establishment donors to loud boos.

Vice

Newt Gingrich was having what seemed to be a pretty strong debate on Tuesday night before being asked a question about immigration policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strong debate", ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject and significance of the debate. Specify what makes the debate 'strong' – is it the intensity, the participants, or the potential impact?

Common error

Avoid overuse of the word 'strong' as a general intensifier. While "a strong debate" is acceptable, repeatedly using 'strong' to describe various elements can weaken your writing. Consider synonyms like 'vigorous', 'intense', or 'robust' for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong debate" functions as a noun phrase, where "strong" modifies the noun "debate". Ludwig examples show it describing political and academic discussions. It highlights the intensity or significance of the debate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strong debate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an intense and significant discussion. As Ludwig AI shows, this expression frequently appears in news and media, and scientific contexts. While "strong" is a versatile adjective, avoid overusing it by considering alternatives such as "vigorous", "intense", or "robust". When employing "a strong debate", clarify the context and the specific attributes that make the debate notably 'strong'. Remember to ensure variety by using synonyms. By following these guidelines, you can use this phrase effectively and precisely in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vigorous discussion

Replaces 'debate' with 'discussion' and 'strong' with 'vigorous' emphasizing the energetic nature of the exchange.

a robust discussion

Replaces 'strong' with 'robust' to emphasize the thorough and comprehensive nature of the debate.

an intense argument

Substitutes 'debate' with 'argument' and 'strong' with 'intense', highlighting the high-stakes, passionate nature of the disagreement.

a spirited debate

Highlights the enthusiastic and passionate nature of the exchange.

a lively discussion

Emphasizes the energetic and engaging quality of the debate.

a heated exchange

Uses 'heated exchange' to convey a sense of strong disagreement and possibly anger.

a compelling argument

Focuses on the persuasiveness and power of the arguments presented.

a significant controversy

Shifts the focus to the importance and impact of the debate.

a considerable dispute

Replaces 'debate' with 'dispute' and 'strong' with 'considerable' highlighting the substantial disagreement.

a powerful contention

Highlights the forceful and influential nature of the debate or disagreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a strong debate" to describe an argument or discussion characterized by intensity and conviction. For instance, "The proposed policy changes sparked "a strong debate" among the board members".

What are some alternatives to saying "a strong debate"?

Instead of "a strong debate", you could use phrases like "a vigorous discussion", "an intense argument", or "a heated exchange", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a strong debate" or "a powerful debate"?

Both "a strong debate" and "a powerful debate" are grammatically correct. "Strong" emphasizes the intensity and conviction of the arguments, while "powerful" highlights the potential impact or influence of the debate. The best choice depends on the context.

What makes "a strong debate" different from a regular debate?

The adjective "strong" indicates that the debate is particularly intense, well-argued, and significant. It suggests that the participants are deeply invested in their positions, and that the outcome of the debate could have important consequences.