debate going on

USAGE SUMMARY

"debate going on" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe an ongoing discussion or exchange of ideas on a particular topic. For example, "The debate going on in the boardroom concerned the future of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's a debate going on below about the Gates Foundation.

The Guardian - Tech

There is, Mr Clegg told NYU, much "uncivilised and irrational debate" going on in Parliament "every day".

Independent

Keep the debate going on forever so that eventually your teacher has to end it, and you will both win.

WikiHow

"There is a debate going on.

Independent

But there is a debate going on.

The Guardian

There is a huge debate going on about this.

The New Yorker

They realise he is responsible for the debate going on.

The Guardian

"It's still a big debate going on," he said.

The New York Times

There is a good healthy democratic debate going on".

The Guardian

It means keeping the debate going on controversial legislation by keeping the debate going.

The Economist

"There is a debate going on across the E.U.," the spokesman said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "debate going on" to describe a current discussion or disagreement, particularly when it involves multiple viewpoints and is actively developing. For instance, "There's a heated "debate going on" about climate change policies."

Common error

While "debate going on" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "ongoing discussion" or "active debate" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "debate going on" functions as a noun phrase in the present continuous tense, describing an ongoing discussion or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English. It typically modifies another noun, indicating that a debate is currently active.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "debate going on" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates an ongoing discussion or disagreement. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal register. While acceptable, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "ongoing discussion" or "active debate" in academic or professional writing. The phrase's purpose is primarily to inform about a currently active discussion, highlighting its dynamic nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussion in progress

Replaces "debate" with "discussion" and rephrases "going on" with "in progress" maintaining the idea of an active exchange.

ongoing discussion

Uses "ongoing" as an adjective to describe the state of the discussion.

active debate

Emphasizes the active nature of the debate.

current controversy

Shifts the focus to a controversy, implying a debate.

spirited discussion

Highlights the lively nature of the discussion.

lively debate

Similar to 'spirited discussion', emphasizes the energy of the debate.

intense discussion

Emphasizes the high level of engagement in the discussion.

public discourse underway

Uses more formal language to describe a public debate.

dispute unfolding

Suggests a debate that is actively developing.

argument taking place

Focuses on the argument aspect of the debate.

FAQs

How can I use "debate going on" in a sentence?

You can use "debate going on" to describe a current discussion or disagreement. For example: "There's a big "debate going on" about the new economic policy."

What can I say instead of "debate going on"?

You can use alternatives like "discussion in progress", "ongoing discussion", or "active debate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "debate going on" or "debate is going on"?

"Debate going on" is often used informally, while "debate is going on" is grammatically complete and more suitable for formal writing. Using the latter option ensures clarity and grammatical precision.

Is "debate going on" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "debate going on" is generally more informal. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "ongoing discussion" or "active debate" for a more polished and grammatically complete expression.