debates

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'debates' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an exchange of views or arguments between two or more people about a particular subject. For example: "The two candidates engaged in a series of heated debates about healthcare policy during the election campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The contrast with Nick Clegg's breakthrough starring role in the 2010 election TV debates couldn't have been more apparent from the start.

The Guardian

In trolling cases, for example, by protecting the abuser, you are discouraging the abused from entering public debates.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before the debate, most of our focus group expected David Cameron to win narrowly "because he's best at debates".

The Guardian

In January, Bennett seemed clear that she alone would be representing the party during prospective debates.

The Guardian

The broadcasters, however, told the Greens "a few weeks ago" that it was not possible for different speakers to appear across the debates being proposed by the BBC, Sky, Channel 4 and ITV.

The Guardian

Related: Miliband: I won't have Labour government if it means SNP deal Aside from one and a half debates, stage-managed to the point of absolute stiltedness, the party leaders have shown such a terminal unwillingness to be seen in each other's company that I've started to develop three key theories about them.

The Guardian

Cameron has indicated that he does not intend to take part in televised leaders' debates if the Greens are not invited to participate.

The Guardian

Historical amnesia is certainly liberating – so liberating that America is once again diving into free fall, unmoored by any critical or intellectual insight into its own myths, or even into the histories of the debates that we think define our moment.

The Guardian - Books

Urgently needed scholarly and public events enlightening students and citizens about key national debates of the day are already being shut down, on the grounds of "security".

The Guardian - Opinion

It excludes anyone who could lend a modicum of diversity to these debates; who might challenge the status quo on the environment, on devolution, on constitutional change, on free-market economics, on gender politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

The egalitarians don't tend to win these policy debates.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "debates" to describe formal discussions, especially when contrasting different viewpoints.

Common error

Don't use "debates" without specifying the subject or context. Vague descriptions can dilute the significance of the discussions being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The word "debates" primarily functions as a plural noun, often referring to a series of formal discussions or arguments. As shown in Ludwig, it describes structured exchanges, especially in political and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "debates", as analyzed by Ludwig, is a plural noun denoting structured discussions or arguments, often with opposing viewpoints. It is most commonly used in news and media contexts, serving the purpose of exploring diverse perspectives or persuading audiences. The register is generally neutral to formal. While it's grammatically correct and very common, ensure clarity by providing specific context. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the term and its appropriate usage in various English contexts. The high frequency and consistent application across authoritative sources underscore its importance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussions

Refers to a more general exchange of ideas, potentially less formal than "debates".

arguments

Emphasizes disagreement and conflict more strongly than "debates".

disputations

Implies a formal or academic disagreement, making it more specific than "debates".

deliberations

Suggests a careful and thorough consideration of different sides, with a more thoughtful connotation than "debates".

public forums

Focuses on the setting where discussions or "debates" occur.

exchanges

Highlights the act of swapping ideas or arguments in the same way that "debates" does.

controversies

Refers to prolonged public disagreements or "debates" on a particular topic.

dialogues

More general and collaborative, focused on understanding rather than winning, while "debates" may suggest opposition.

clashes

More informal, highlights oppositions that are part of "debates".

contests

More informal, highlighting the opposition of ideas as it happens in "debates".

FAQs

How can I use "debates" in a sentence?

You can use "debates" to refer to formal discussions, as in "The election featured several key debates on economic policy". You might also use it more generally, like "The issue sparked heated debates among experts".

What's the difference between "debates" and "discussions"?

"Debates" usually involve opposing viewpoints and a formal structure, while "discussions" can be more informal and collaborative.

What are some synonyms for "debates"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "arguments", "discussions", or "disputations" as synonyms for "debates".

When is it appropriate to use "debates" over other similar terms?

Use "debates" when you want to emphasize a structured or formal exchange of opposing views. For less formal settings, "discussions" or "conversations" might be more suitable.