The phrase "a true debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the authenticity or seriousness of a discussion or argument between opposing viewpoints.
Example: "In a true debate, both sides must present their arguments fairly and respectfully."
Alternatives: "a genuine debate" or "an authentic debate".
"It's a true debate," said Stéphane Réthoré, head of marketing at Universal France.
"Our goal tonight is to have a true debate," CNN's Jake Tapper said at the opening of Wednesday night's entertainment.
As I say, this is a true debate, on which there is much of consequence to be said on both sides.
Like all asymmetric conflicts, the continuing "debate" on abortion rights (front page, April 26) is not a true debate because there is little direct intellectual engagement between opponents.
As useful as online protests like #NotInMyName may be, this moment allows a much greater opportunity for a true debate within the Muslim community about the appropriate place of Islam in international society.
Despite having spent more than a year wrangling over the bill, Congress has yet to have a true debate over health care - a discussion in which both sides put forward policy ideas and the two approaches are compared.
The Senate basically ended any true debate when the Republican majority peremptorily detonated the "nuclear option" for Supreme Court nominees.
Social networks are chains of complete strangers, who are not permitted to voice any true debate on any topic whatsoever.
A spokeswoman said: "The true debate on surveillance can begin today.
Wendy O., Silver Spring, Md.: Jack Murtha has not given up — he has spoken out for a great reason: to force true debate and decisions on the future operations of this botched war.
There is also the 2002 authorization that launched the Iraq War, but Syria is not Iraq, and the Syrian part of this strategy demands a true political debate.
