conduct a debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"conduct a debate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in the context of organizing a discussion about a particular topic or issue. For example, "Our class will be conducting a debate tomorrow on the topic of gun control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Conduct a debate based on your findings.

The New York Times

4. Conduct a debate on acceptable ages for professional sports.

The New York Times

2. Conduct a debate on the topic of young people in professional sports.

The New York Times

Civics- Conduct a debate on the effectiveness of the Department of Homeland Security.

The New York Times

Conduct a debate on what the proper settlement should be for Enron employees' retirement fund.

The New York Times

2. Conduct a debate about whether or not Banksy's actions are justified.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It is possible to disagree with the ban on the burkini imposed in some French towns while also conducting a debate about what such garments mean in terms of the agency of women.

The Guardian

Talk as performance refers to situations where ELLs are required to transmit information before an audience, including doing classroom presentations, delivering speeches, making announcements, or conducting a debate.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

And then the last component for it is ideological range, where I think both on the editorial line and our columnists and a lot of our op-eds were conducting a debate that was often between the 40-yard lines.

Huffington Post

Write your essay as though you are conducting a debate.

WikiHow

Conduct a classroom debate on the subject.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conduct a debate", ensure that the context clearly defines the topic and participants involved. For instance, "The university will conduct a debate on climate change featuring prominent scientists."

Common error

Avoid using "conduct a debate" when you only mean to participate in one. "Conduct" implies organization or leadership, not mere involvement. Instead of "I will conduct a debate", say "I will participate in the debate".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conduct a debate" is as a verb phrase. It signifies the act of organizing, managing, or leading a formal discussion or argument. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it used in academic, news, and formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conduct a debate" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of organizing or leading a formal discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to the act of orchestrating the debate, rather than merely participating. Alternatives like "hold a debate" or "organize a debate" can be used to vary your language. Be mindful of the formal tone, and adjust your word choice for more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold a debate

This alternative uses "hold" instead of "conduct", slightly changing the nuance to emphasize the act of hosting the debate.

organize a debate

This alternative uses "organize" which focuses on the planning and setup of the debate.

facilitate a debate

This alternative uses "facilitate", highlighting the role of guiding and moderating the debate.

moderate a debate

This alternative emphasizes the act of presiding over and keeping order during the debate.

host a debate

This alternative focuses on the act of providing the venue and logistical support for the debate.

stage a debate

This alternative uses "stage" implying a more theatrical or planned event.

present a debate

This alternative uses "present" which focuses on the delivery or showcasing of the debate.

arrange a debate

This alternative uses "arrange" highlighting the act of making the necessary preparations.

oversee a debate

This alternative uses "oversee", suggesting a supervisory role in the debate's execution.

run a debate

This alternative uses "run", implying the management and control of the debate process.

FAQs

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

You can use "conduct a debate" to describe the action of organizing or facilitating a formal discussion. For example, "The professor will conduct a debate on the merits of artificial intelligence."

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

You can use alternatives such as "hold a debate", "organize a debate", or "facilitate a debate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "conduct a debate" and "participate in a debate"?

"Conduct a debate" refers to organizing, leading, or moderating a debate, while "participate in a debate" simply means taking part in the discussion as one of the debaters or audience members. They are not interchangeable.

Is it appropriate to use "conduct a debate" in informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "conduct a debate" sounds more formal. In informal settings, you might prefer alternatives like "have a debate" or "do a debate".