debates are ongoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "debates are ongoing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that discussions or arguments about a particular topic are still in progress and have not yet reached a conclusion. Example: "The debates are ongoing regarding the impact of climate change on global economies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

They noted, for instance, that there have been debates among officials in both places about how and when the party should begin broadcasting commercials attacking Mr. Gore -- and that those debates are ongoing.

The New York Times

Aside from the preceding debate on how to present classifications, several other philosophical debates are ongoing, and it is probable that several academic generations will pass before biological classification stabilizes and the systematists obtain a consensus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Debates are ongoing about land use and land sustainability, flooding, and the implications for delivery of sediment off hillslopes into streams, rivers, and to the coast.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

The final type, public debates are ongoing, with the votes for one side or the other marking the overall opinion of the community on the subject.

TechCrunch

Is an answer to 8,000 comments really not possible, and why are you constantly closing blogs while debates are ongoing?

BBC

Many controversial debates are ongoing regarding its role in the control of food intake.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

That policy debate is ongoing, but the Florida situation is something deeper and uglier.

The New York Times

Debate is ongoing as to the merits of this, but we also need to look at the global picture.

The Guardian

The debate is ongoing today, as media organisations and legal groups pressure the US supreme court to relieve their own ban on cameras in the courtroom.

The Guardian

The debate is ongoing; a series of randomized control trials have shown that traditional microcredit doesn't increase average incomes, but tweaks to the model may improve outcomes.

Yale University

The debate is ongoing, and we want to hear from you, wherever you are in the world, for this month's podcast.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "debates are ongoing", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject of the debate to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "Debates are ongoing regarding the new policy implementation."

Common error

Avoid using "debates are ongoing" too frequently in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound repetitive. Opt for more specific verbs or phrases that provide greater detail about the nature of the discussion, such as "being actively discussed" or "under consideration."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "debates are ongoing" functions as a statement indicating that discussions or arguments about a particular topic are currently in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig show it used across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "debates are ongoing" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that a discussion or argument is currently in progress. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is often employed to inform an audience about the status of an issue under discussion. While versatile, it is advisable to specify the subject of the debate for clarity and avoid overuse in formal writing. Alternative phrases, such as "discussions are underway" or "talks are in progress", can offer more specificity or a different nuance depending on the context. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica demonstrate its usage across various fields, particularly in science and news media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussions are underway

Focuses on the process of discussing something, highlighting the activity itself rather than the conflict.

talks are in progress

Emphasizes the act of speaking and exchanging ideas, often in a more formal setting.

negotiations are in progress

Specifies that the discussions are aimed at reaching an agreement, implying a more structured and goal-oriented conversation.

conversations are continuing

Highlights the ongoing nature of the exchange, suggesting a more informal and less confrontational discussion.

dialogues are proceeding

Implies a more structured and formal exchange of views, often with the aim of understanding different perspectives.

matters are under discussion

Shifts the focus to the subject being debated, rather than the act of debating itself.

issues are being discussed

Similar to "matters are under discussion", emphasizing the topics being debated.

deliberations are continuing

Implies a more thoughtful and careful consideration of the issues, often in a formal setting.

disputes are unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution, highlighting the conflicting viewpoints and the absence of agreement.

controversies persist

Emphasizes the contentious nature of the issues and the ongoing disagreement surrounding them.

FAQs

How can I use "debates are ongoing" in a sentence?

You can use "debates are ongoing" to indicate that discussions or arguments about a particular topic are still in progress and have not yet reached a conclusion. For example: "The "debates are ongoing" regarding the impact of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "debates are ongoing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "discussions are underway", "talks are in progress", or "negotiations are in progress", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "debates are ongoing" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "debates are ongoing" excessively in formal writing can sound repetitive. Consider using more specific alternatives that provide greater detail about the nature of the discussion.

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

While similar, "debates are ongoing" often implies a level of contention or disagreement, whereas "discussions are ongoing" can refer to more neutral exchanges of information.