debated about

USAGE SUMMARY

"debated about" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to when two or more people discuss an issue or opinion in order to reach a conclusion or an agreement. For example: "The council debated about the new zoning plan for hours before coming to a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Perhaps most significantly in a news event so extensively debated about and reported on social media, "#baltimoreriots" was the Twitter hashtag of choice.

The Washington Post

Campaign aides debated about whether to let Clinton take questions from the press.

Vice

At the AER's inquiry, two expert witnesses debated about what instrument is best for detecting airborne toxins.

Vice

He initially debated about telling Mr. Kirdahy.

The New York Times - Style

"There is nothing even to be debated about that.

The New York Times - Health

For almost a century, scholars have debated about what happened during the Warring States (Zhanguo) period.

Columbia University

"I debated about showing this to a reporter, but it's historic," he told me.

The New Yorker

The show's producer, Ken Ehrlich, debated about how to acknowledge Ms. Houston's death.

The New York Times - Arts

Even those companies that decided to remain on the panels have debated about how to proceed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Meanwhile, debate about uniforms is still raging.

Independent

People were debating about it on Twitter.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "debated about", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject of the debate. It's often helpful to follow with a specific noun or clause: "They debated about the implications of the new policy."

Common error

While "debated about" is generally acceptable, be mindful of potential redundancy. Sometimes, simply using "debated" can be more concise and impactful: Instead of "The senators debated about the bill", consider "The senators debated the bill".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "debated about" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically follows a subject and verb, modifying the verb to indicate the topic or subject of the debate. According to Ludwig AI, it is a usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

12.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "debated about" is a common and acceptable prepositional phrase used to specify the subject of a discussion or argument. Ludwig AI validates it as a usable construction. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to ensure its usage aligns with the desired level of formality. More formal contexts might benefit from using just "debated" followed by the object. The phrase finds frequent use in news and media, science, and academic settings, providing context to discussions and disagreements. While versatile, writers should consider the nuance and potential redundancy in specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

argued over

Focuses on the element of disagreement and contention during the discussion.

deliberated on

Stresses the careful and thoughtful nature of the discussion.

discussed at length

Emphasizes the thoroughness and duration of the discussion.

disputed concerning

Highlights the contested nature of the topic under discussion.

contended regarding

A more formal alternative, highlighting opposing viewpoints.

considered in relation to

Shifts the focus to examining something in connection with another.

wrangled over

Suggests a prolonged and often frustrating debate.

quarreled concerning

Implies a more heated and emotional disagreement.

negotiated regarding

Focuses on reaching an agreement through discussion.

conversed regarding

A more general term for talking about something, without necessarily implying disagreement.

FAQs

Is "debated about" grammatically correct?

Yes, "debated about" is generally considered grammatically acceptable, though some may find it less formal. It's often used in everyday language and news reporting, but in formal writing, using only "debated" might be preferred.

What's a more formal alternative to "debated about"?

For more formal contexts, consider using "debated" followed by the object of the debate directly (e.g., "They debated the issue") or using alternatives like "argued over" or "discussed at length".

How can I use "debated about" in a sentence?

You can use "debated about" to describe a discussion where different viewpoints are presented, for example: "The committee debated about the best course of action" or "Experts debated about the cause of the phenomenon".

Are there any situations where "debated about" should be avoided?

In highly formal or academic writing, using just "debated" may be preferred for conciseness. However, in most other contexts, "debated about" is perfectly acceptable and clearly understood.