an ongoing debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion or argument that is currently happening and has not yet been resolved. Example: "The issue of climate change remains an ongoing debate among scientists and policymakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An insightful contribution to an ongoing debate.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Overseas, too, there is an ongoing debate about these matters.

The New Yorker

It's refreshing that this is an ongoing debate.

The Economist

Grantham is taking the Malthusian side in an ongoing debate about growth and commodity prices­.

The New York Times - Magazine

That confirmation will stoke an ongoing debate.

Science Magazine

However, there is an ongoing debate surrounding SSB calorie compensation.

Appetite

There is an ongoing debate regarding boys being the new problem group (Hurrelmann and Schultz 2012).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

The contents of this section are related to an ongoing debate on wage cyclicality in Spain.

SERIEs

What is crowdsourcing and what is not is an ongoing debate (Stieger et al. 2012).

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

However, there has been an ongoing debate about the effectiveness and applicability of this method.

NeuroImage

There is an ongoing debate concerning the perception and neural representation of space in neglect.

Neuropsychologia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an ongoing debate" when you want to emphasize that a discussion or disagreement is currently active and has not been resolved. It's suitable for academic, professional, and general contexts.

Common error

While "an ongoing debate" is acceptable, avoid using it repetitively in your writing. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "continuing argument" or "unresolved issue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing debate" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes a state of continuous discussion and disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing debate" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a discussion or argument that is currently in progress and unresolved. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It appears frequently in science, news, and formal business contexts. When writing, remember to use it when you need to show the sense of continuity of a specific argument. To enhance your writing, avoid overusing this phrase by considering alternatives such as "continuing argument" or "unresolved issue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a continuing argument

Emphasizes the sustained nature of the disagreement.

a current controversy

Highlights the contentious nature of the subject at present.

a persistent dispute

Stresses the enduring quality of the disagreement.

an unresolved issue

Focuses on the lack of a conclusion or settlement.

a protracted discussion

Highlights the length and drawn-out nature of the dialogue.

a running discussion

Implies a continuous and active conversation.

a developing contention

Suggests the disagreement is evolving and intensifying.

a live question

Indicates a matter of active and current importance.

a pending deliberation

Focuses on the consideration that is still in progress.

an open question

Emphasizes that the matter is still subject to discussion and has no definitive answer.

FAQs

What does "an ongoing debate" mean?

The phrase "an ongoing debate" refers to a discussion or argument that is currently happening and has not reached a conclusion. It implies that the discussion is active and continuing.

How can I use "an ongoing debate" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where there is a current and unresolved discussion. For example, "There is "an ongoing debate" about the effectiveness of certain policies."

What are some alternatives to "an ongoing debate"?

You can use alternatives like "continuing argument", "persistent dispute", or "unresolved issue" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "an ongoing debate" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is suitable for formal writing, including academic papers, reports, and professional communications. It is a clear and concise way to describe a current discussion.