brief debate about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief debate about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a short discussion or exchange of ideas on a particular topic. Example: "The committee held a brief debate about the proposed changes to the policy before reaching a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She breaks off to start a brief debate about which gender pronoun you should use to describe God.

The Guardian - Music

Both the method of the attack (bombs in metal tiffin boxes strapped to bicycles) and its location (near a Hindu temple) point to a home-grown Islamic group, the Indian Mujahideen.Apart from a brief debate about policing and about the competence of the home minister, Indians responded phlegmatically.

The Economist

And rather than relying on fashion advisors, Mr. Rule is turning to potential viewers to vote on line to select his garb for the video awards, at www.mtv.com/onair/vma01/dress. (Leather jacket? Or sporty white windbreaker?) In 1999, there was a brief debate about the merits of the rapper DMX's desire to bring a pit bull escort on stage.

The New York Times - Arts

Louis, Ryan, and I have a brief debate about whether or not she actually believes he's the president, before deciding that she was most likely playing along.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

After a brief debate, Lucan ordered the Light Brigade forward.

Wikipedia

"The Child" featured a brief debate on abortion, "Up the Long Ladder" discussed cloning, and "Loud as a Whisper" was about accepting the legitimacy of sign language for the deaf.

Wikipedia

We live in a country where moral arguments are largely reserved for white people, so there's a brief, legalistic debate about whether the missile should have to scream "You Have the Right to Remain Dead!" before it goes off, then the whole thing will be forgotten till the next time.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a brief flurry of debate about a post-Cold War "peace dividend," that subject dropped into the void, while, for example, U.S. nuclear forces, lacking their major enemy of the previous several decades, remained more or less in place, strategically disoriented but ready for action.

Huffington Post

Tenants stood side by side and face to face with landlords, and they shouted at board members and those next to them, booing and holding brief but heated debates about the city's affordability for renters and owners.

The New York Times

What Mr. Bernanke's speech delivers, instead, is a brief and engaging sketch of the debate about the state of innovation.

The New York Times

The blockchain lives on the system's global network and is maintained and protected by "miners", operators of specialised computers who are rewarded with bitcoin for their efforts.Rather than begin their book with a breathless account of how bitcoin could change everything, Messrs Vigna and Casey start with a brief account of the centuries-old debate about the nature of money.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brief debate about", ensure the context clearly indicates that the debate was indeed short and not an extensive discussion. This helps maintain clarity and avoids misleading the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "brief debate about" when the discussion was actually longer or more involved than a brief exchange. This can diminish your credibility and confuse your audience. Choose a phrase that more accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief debate about" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a specific instance of a discussion or argument. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brief debate about" is grammatically correct and suitable for describing a short discussion on a specific topic. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability across various contexts. While not extremely common, it is frequent enough to be considered a standard expression. When using this phrase, ensure that the debate was indeed brief to maintain accuracy and credibility. Consider alternatives like ""short discussion on"" or ""quick argument regarding"" based on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short discussion on

Replaces "debate" with the more general term "discussion" and "about" with "on", indicating a less formal exchange.

brief exchange on

Replaces "debate" with "exchange", focusing on the interaction rather than the disagreement, and "about" with "on".

concise discussion of

Uses "discussion" for a more general term and "of" instead of "about" for brevity.

quick argument regarding

Substitutes "debate" with "argument", suggesting a slightly more contentious exchange, and "about" with "regarding".

short discussion concerning

Employs a broader term "discussion" in place of "debate" and replaces "about" with "concerning".

concise conversation concerning

Uses "conversation" instead of "debate", implying a more informal discussion, and "concerning" in place of "about".

quick dispute regarding

Replaces "debate" with "dispute", emphasizing the disagreement, and "about" with "regarding".

brief argument on

Swaps "debate" for "argument", intensifying the disagreement and replacing "about" with "on".

short deliberation over

Substitutes "debate" with "deliberation", suggesting a more thoughtful consideration, and "about" with "over".

brief contention over

Substitutes "debate" with "contention", highlighting the disagreement, and "about" with "over".

FAQs

How can I use "brief debate about" in a sentence?

You can use "brief debate about" to describe a short discussion or argument concerning a particular topic. For example, "The committee had a "brief debate about" the proposed budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to "brief debate about"?

Some alternatives to "brief debate about" include "short discussion on", "quick argument regarding", or "concise conversation concerning", depending on the level of formality and intensity you wish to convey.

Is "brief debate about" formal or informal?

"Brief debate about" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The key is ensuring that the "debate" was genuinely short. In more formal settings, "short deliberation over" might be a more appropriate substitute.

What's the difference between "brief debate about" and "argument about"?

While both refer to a disagreement, "brief debate about" implies a more structured and concise discussion, whereas "argument about" suggests a potentially heated or prolonged disagreement. The word "debate" usually suggests a formal exchange of different points of view.