debatable issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"debatable issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a subject or matter that is open to argument or debate. For example: "The legalization of marijuana is a debatable issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This isn't even a debatable issue -- there are no measures to debate.

The New York Times

The only debatable issue was how far he decided to go.

The New York Times - Sports

"Getting prices right" is seen as one way to allocate water, but how to accomplish this remains a debatable issue.

Water Policy

Whether the New York detectives are authorized to make arrests for federal offenses is a debatable issue.

Cornell University

The study has implications for the methodological design of studies addressing this debatable issue and health spending policy in SSACs.

Journal of Policy Modeling

Gendered access to land and property rights is a debatable issue in Pakistan in general and in the Swat Valley in particular.

Journal of Rural Studies

It is a debatable issue whether the influence of socio-economic and ideational factors have an influence on marriage behaviour in Japan.

Princeton University

And this wasn't a debatable issue –we actually had the tapes of Enron traders telling power plants to shut down to drive up prices.

The New York Times

That was surely the wrong answer, even leaving aside the debatable issue of whether cabinet secretaries can influence the level of exchange rates.

The Economist

The revue's solution to the debatable issue of caricature and at what point a broad performance becomes a demeaning minstrel-show parody is to rein in the extremes.

The New York Times - Arts

One such footnote quotes a 2000 review on the Nato bombing of Yugoslavia: "Whether the media constitutes a legitimate target group is a debatable issue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "debatable issue" when the matter is widely accepted as fact. Ensure there's room for reasonable disagreement.

Common error

Avoid presenting a widely accepted fact as a "debatable issue". Overstating the debatability can weaken your argument and credibility. Instead, focus on nuances or specific aspects where disagreement exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "debatable issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "debatable" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "issue". It is used to identify a topic or matter that is open to discussion, argument, or differing opinions, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "debatable issue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for denoting topics open to discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively introduces subjects with multiple perspectives. Its neutral register allows for broad application across science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely warrants debate and consider alternative phrasings like "arguable point" or "controversial topic" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arguable point

Replaces "issue" with "point", emphasizing a specific matter of contention.

contested matter

Uses "matter" instead of "issue", and "contested" emphasizes active disagreement.

disputable question

Substitutes "issue" with "question", framing it as something to be asked and answered.

controversial topic

Replaces "issue" with "topic", and "controversial" highlights the potential for strong disagreement.

open question

Focuses on the lack of a definitive answer or resolution.

unsettled question

Emphasizes that the matter is not yet decided or agreed upon.

matter of debate

Rephrases the phrase to highlight the act of debating itself.

point of contention

Highlights the aspect of disagreement and conflict.

bone of contention

An idiomatic expression indicating a long-standing and significant disagreement.

moot point

Suggests the issue is academic or of little practical significance.

FAQs

How can I use "debatable issue" in a sentence?

You can use "debatable issue" to introduce a topic that has multiple viewpoints or is subject to discussion. For example, "The ethical implications of artificial intelligence are a "debatable issue"."

What are some alternatives to "debatable issue"?

Alternatives include "arguable point", "contested matter", or "controversial topic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as a "debatable issue"?

No, it is not appropriate if the matter is a proven fact or widely accepted. Use "debatable issue" only when there are legitimate differing opinions or evidence supporting multiple viewpoints.

What makes an issue "debatable"?

An issue is "debatable" when there is no clear consensus or definitive answer, and reasonable arguments can be made for different perspectives. It often involves subjective interpretations, ethical considerations, or incomplete data.