debated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'debated' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an intense discussion of a point or issue in order to come to a conclusion or decision. For example, "The board debated the question for hours before finally voting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was debated over and over again.

The New York Times

This year, the nuclear negotiations in the Swiss city of Lausanne, which are entering a critical phase ahead of a major deadline, are being debated over dried fruits, pistachio nuts and watermelon seeds.

The Guardian

Interest in Foster Wheeler, which in effect put itself up for sale last year, has been long debated.

The Guardian

The Riga summit on the European Union's eastern partnership policy may not make many headlines, but the issues that will be debated on Thursday and Friday in Latvia are major ones all the same.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will be debated in Stormont on Tuesday, with Sinn Féin indicating it will vote against the amendment.

The Guardian

Anthony Steen, who advised on the legislation and chairs the Human Trafficking Foundation, said the bill, which will be debated in parliament on Tuesday for its third reading, had "yawning gaps", and failed to focus on the needs of victims of trafficking in the UK.

The Guardian

It will now be debated in Parliament on Thursday, 12 January, and everyone involved wants – in good Leeds fashion – to press on.

The Guardian

They again debated calling the SNP's bluff and hold a unilateral referendum in Scotland.

The Guardian

Whether that has fully had the desired effect can be debated after starting the season giving up two late goals, turning four points into just one in league play while at the same time bowing out of the CONCACAF Champions League.

The Guardian - Sport

The structure of the Co-op Group board is being vigorously debated before a special general meeting due in early September to vote on specific reforms, which are needed in the wake of problems in its bank, in which it now owns just a 20% stake.

The Guardian - Business

The British ambassador to Romania was asked to attend a meeting on Friday in Bucharest with the minister for Romanians abroad, Cristian David, at which the importance of discussing immigration in a "balanced and rational way" was debated.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "debated" to indicate a formal and structured discussion, especially when presenting multiple viewpoints.

Common error

While "debated" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations where simpler terms like "discussed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The term "debated" primarily functions as a past participle or adjective. Ludwig AI states that it refers to intense discussion of a point or issue for reaching a conclusion. Examples show it modifying nouns or serving as part of a verb phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "debated" is a versatile past participle and adjective commonly used to describe topics that have undergone formal discussion and argumentation. According to Ludwig, it signifies an intense discussion aiming for a decision. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, as evidenced by the many examples from sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's best suited for neutral to formal registers and can be replaced with simpler terms like "discussed" in informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

argued about

Focuses on the act of presenting reasons for or against something, potentially more confrontational than "debated".

discussed at length

Emphasizes the duration and detail of the discussion, suggesting a comprehensive exploration of the topic.

contended over

Highlights the adversarial nature of the discussion, implying strong disagreement or competition.

considered extensively

Focuses on the thoroughness of the evaluation, suggesting a careful and detailed examination of the issue.

deliberated upon

Implies a formal and careful process of weighing different options or perspectives.

disputed

Highlights the disagreement and controversy surrounding the topic.

questioned

Focuses on the act of raising doubts or uncertainties about something.

negotiated

Suggests a process of bargaining and compromise to reach an agreement.

challenged

Emphasizes the act of contesting or disputing something.

examined

Focuses on careful observation and investigation of something.

FAQs

How is "debated" used in a sentence?

The term "debated" is used to describe a topic that has been discussed or argued about, often in a formal setting. For example, "The new policy was "debated" extensively by the committee."

What's a more casual alternative to "debated"?

For less formal situations, you could use "discussed", "talked about", or "argued", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "debated" and "discussed"?

"Debated" often implies a more formal and structured discussion with opposing viewpoints, while "discussed" is a more general term for any kind of conversation.

Can "debated" be used for personal decisions?

While "debated" is typically used for public or formal discussions, it can be used for internal considerations, such as "I "debated" whether to accept the job offer."