course of debate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "course of debate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the progression or development of a discussion or argument over time. Example: "During the course of debate, several key points were raised that changed the direction of the conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Syrian miaphysitism may also have influenced the ideas of Constantine V and, through him, the course of debate during the last half of the 8th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Health and safety might insist the poles were modified so that eyes could not be poked out in the course of debate.

The Guardian

Debate in the House is unenlightening with regard to the meaning the Members ascribed to the speech and press clause, and there is no record of debate in the Senate.380 In the course of debate, Madison warned against the dangers that would arise "from discussing and proposing abstract propositions, of which the judgment may not be convinced.

Cornell University

To change the course of debate, the Obama administration would be better off prioritizing just two things: muzzling congressional spending and getting Americans back to work, full-time.

Forbes

The heads of the departments are, in fact, thus precluded from proposing, or vindicating their own measures in the face of the nation in the course of debate; and are compelled to submit them to other men, who are either imperfectly acquainted with the measures, or are indifferent to their success or failure.

University of Chicago

In the winter session of 1826, the vice president decided in effect, that, as president of the senate, he had no power of preserving order, or of calling any member to order, for words spoken in the course of debate, upon his own authority, but only so far, as it was given, and regulated by the rules of the senate.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the course of debating whether biology is reducible to the physical sciences or whether psychology is reducible to biology, many philosophers assume that chemistry has already been reduced to physics.

SEP

Al Gore weighed in, tweeting during the course of the debate: "Where is global warming in this debate?

The Guardian

Oh, and Ryan also, in the course of the debate, endorsed.. Social Security privatization.

The New York Times

In the course of the debate several points of interest emerged.

The Guardian

Several variants of these models have emerged during the course of the debate.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "course of debate" to refer to the way a debate develops and evolves over time. It's suitable when you want to emphasize the unfolding nature of a discussion.

Common error

Avoid substituting "course" with "cause" or "coarse", as these words have entirely different meanings and will alter the intended message. Always double-check your spelling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course of debate" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to specify the timing or context in which something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "course of debate" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase to describe how a discussion or argument evolves. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in various contexts. Its primary function is to indicate the temporal progression within a debate, making it useful in academic, news, and general contexts. Alternatives such as "during the discussion" or "throughout the deliberation" may be used depending on the intended nuance. Remember to avoid common misspellings like 'cause' or 'coarse' to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the discussion

Focuses on the temporal aspect of events happening while a discussion is ongoing, omitting the sense of progression.

in the development of the discussion

Highlights the evolution and progression of the conversation.

in the process of arguing

Emphasizes the act of arguing and its unfolding stages, whereas the original highlights the overall structure.

during the proceedings

Refers to the formal process of a debate or discussion, often in legal or official contexts.

throughout the deliberation

Highlights a careful consideration or formal discussion over a period.

as the discussion progressed

Highlights the advancing or moving forward of the discussion.

as the argument unfolded

Focuses on the revelation of different aspects of the argument over time.

in the heat of the argument

Focuses on the intensity and emotional aspect of the debate.

while debating

Simplifies to the simultaneous action of debating, losing the nuance of progression.

during the exchange

Focuses on the back-and-forth nature of the communication.

FAQs

How can I use "course of debate" in a sentence?

You can use "course of debate" to describe how a discussion or argument evolves, such as, "During the course of debate, several key points were raised." It indicates a progression or development.

What are some alternatives to using "course of debate"?

Alternatives include phrases like "during the discussion", "in the process of arguing", or "throughout the deliberation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'in course of debate' instead of "course of debate"?

While 'in course of' is grammatically valid in other contexts, the standard and more common phrasing for discussions and arguments is "course of debate". The 'in' preposition is unnecessary here.

What's the difference between "course of debate" and "subject of debate"?

"Course of debate" refers to the progression and unfolding of an argument, while "subject of debate" refers to the topic or issue being discussed. They describe different aspects of the same event.