and it is debatable whether

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and it is debatable whether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a topic or issue where there are differing opinions or uncertainty about a particular point. Example: "The effectiveness of the new policy is still under review, and it is debatable whether it will lead to the desired outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The expression of collagen type X can be detected early during MSC chondrogenesis, and it is debatable whether its expression does signal true hypertrophic differentiation [ 28]; however, it has been correlated with the unstable transient nature of transplanted tissue in vivo, which leads to vascular invasion and calcification [ 29].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Their origins are unclear, and it is debatable whether they are faithful records of history.

Britannica

That primary is not likely to take place until mid-2013, and it is debatable whether outside consultants actually make a difference.

The New York Times

We should be aware of course of the limitations of the geological record, and it is debatable whether an extreme climate change event analogous to the Anthropocene, if it existed at all, would leave a detectable signal, given our current CO2 proxies and records43.

Nature

And while it is within the power of the UN security council to refer a human rights situation to the ICC for investigation, this has failed to materialise for years now – and it is debatable whether consensus for such a measure could ever be reached, given that Mugabe has some long-standing "allies" on the security council.

The Guardian - Opinion

Strictly speaking Arsène Wenger is no longer a specialist in failure, though his team still look a long way short of the Arsenal of old and it is debatable whether being pushed all the way by Wigan in the semi and now Hull in the final amounts to the sort of success that can be crowed about.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

We did make that move and it's debatable whether we made the right one".

The New York Times - Sports

We haven't seen many documentaries like this, and it's debatable whether we even need to see this one.

The Guardian - Film

In fact, it's 116 years of tradition and it's debatable whether Super League licenses should be handed out on the basis of what is more convenient for your peers.

Independent

Roast chicken with cheese risotto does not seem particularly Viennese, and it's debatable whether the Hungarian paprika sauce outvotes the New England black bass and Nantucket squid in another entree, but meltingly tender braised beef cheeks in a hearty Zweigelt wine sauce show Mr. Bouley at his ersatz-Austrian best.

The New York Times - Food

While the new label did have the resources to promote the band, enabling them to play larger venues with a bigger live production, Classic Rock Productions was more used to promoting 70s veterans such as Uriah Heep, and it's debatable whether describing the band as the second coming of Pink Floyd did them any favours.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and it is debatable whether" to introduce a point where different perspectives exist or where the outcome is not yet certain. This signals to the reader that the subsequent information is subject to interpretation or further discussion.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "and it is debatable whether". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent the writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and it is debatable whether" functions as a connector and qualifier. It introduces an element of uncertainty or differing opinions regarding a particular statement or situation. It signals that the following point is not universally agreed upon. As Ludwig AI points out, this is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and it is debatable whether" serves as a versatile phrase for introducing points of uncertainty or contention. It is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and general discourse. While "Common" in frequency, according to Ludwig AI it’s important to avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity. Alternatives like "it is questionable whether" or "it is uncertain whether" can add variety. When using the phrase, remember it signals the upcoming content is subject to interpretation or discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is questionable whether

Replaces "debatable" with "questionable", suggesting a doubt about something's validity or truth.

it is uncertain whether

Uses "uncertain" instead of "debatable", emphasizing a lack of sureness or predictability.

it is doubtful whether

Employs "doubtful", implying skepticism about a particular outcome or situation.

it is arguable whether

Substitutes "debatable" with "arguable", suggesting the point is open to interpretation and argument.

it remains to be seen whether

Shifts the focus to the future, indicating that the outcome is yet to be determined.

it is contentious whether

Uses "contentious" to emphasize that the matter is likely to cause disagreement or dispute.

the matter is open to debate whether

Highlights the existence of an ongoing discussion or disagreement.

there is some debate as to whether

Emphasizes the presence of a debate surrounding the topic.

it is a matter of opinion whether

Highlights that the issue is subjective and depends on individual viewpoints.

it is open for discussion whether

Suggests the topic is available for further conversation and exploration.

FAQs

How can I use "and it is debatable whether" in a sentence?

You can use "and it is debatable whether" to introduce a point that is subject to different opinions or uncertainties. For instance, "The new policy's effectiveness is still under review, and it is debatable whether it will lead to the desired outcomes".

What's a more formal way to say "and it is debatable whether"?

A more formal alternative could be "it is questionable whether" or "it is uncertain whether", both of which convey a sense of doubt or uncertainty in a more professional tone.

Are there any synonyms for "and it is debatable whether" that imply strong disagreement?

Yes, phrases like "it is contentious whether" or "it is arguable whether" suggest a stronger level of disagreement or controversy compared to the original phrase.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "and it is debatable whether"?

Yes, it's grammatically acceptable to start a sentence with "and it is debatable whether", especially when connecting it to a previous statement or idea to introduce a contrasting or qualifying point.