debates for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "debates for" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to discussions or arguments regarding a specific topic, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "The debates for the upcoming election will focus on key issues affecting the community."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But no debates for me, thanks.

The Guardian - Opinion

We should leave those larger debates for another day.

The New York Times

Presidential debates have not been debates for a long time.

The New York Times

We do not generally look to gubernatorial debates for excitement.

The New York Times

But there are plenty of groups ready to host debates for whoever decides to show up.

The New York Times

The spinning, and the facts, would fuel television debates for at least a few more days.

The New Yorker

In many ways Lindsay's administration set an agenda that defined urban debates for two generations.

The New York Times - Arts

Many credited the debates for helping Mr. Kerry make up ground against Mr. Bush that year.

The New York Times

Take the presence that Mr. Perry has had in the debates, for instance.

The New York Times

Then mine the debates for examples of issue- and character-based arguments as well as spin.

The New York Times

But there are still two more debates for Mr. Bush to regroup in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Rephrase the phrase using more grammatically sound alternatives like "debates surrounding" or "discussions about" to enhance clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "for" to link "debates" and a topic; instead, use prepositions like "about", "on", or "regarding" to establish a clear relationship between the debates and their subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "debates for" functions primarily as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, although this construction is considered grammatically questionable. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not correct. It's typically used to vaguely connect discussions to a topic, but lacks precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

27%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "debates for" is frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, but it's considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig. It's intended to reference discussions related to a specific topic, but its improper usage of the preposition "for" makes it less effective. Better alternatives include phrases such as "discussions about" or "arguments regarding". To ensure clarity and credibility, it's advisable to avoid "debates for" in favor of more grammatically sound options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debates surrounding

Similar to the original query, but emphasizes the context around the debates.

discussions about

Focuses on the act of discussing rather than the formal debate structure.

arguments regarding

Emphasizes disagreement and conflicting viewpoints on a specific topic.

controversies surrounding

Highlights the presence of public disagreement and opposing opinions.

talks concerning

Suggests a more informal conversation or exchange of ideas.

dialogues on

Highlights a more collaborative and constructive approach to discussing a topic.

conversations about

Indicates a more casual and less structured discussion.

deliberations on

Emphasizes careful and thorough consideration of a topic.

exchanges regarding

Focuses on the reciprocal sharing of ideas and perspectives.

forums on

Implies a structured setting for discussion and debate.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "debates for"?

Instead of "debates for", consider using phrases like "discussions about", "arguments regarding", or "talks concerning" to express the topic being debated.

How can I correctly use the word "debate" with a preposition?

To correctly link "debate" with a topic, use prepositions such as "about", "on", or "over". For example, "debates about climate change" or "debates on economic policy" are grammatically correct.

Is "debates for" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "debates for" is grammatically questionable. It is preferable to use alternative prepositions like "about", "on", or "regarding" to ensure clarity and correctness.

What is the difference between "debates for" and "debates about"?

"Debates for" is not standard English. The correct phrasing is "debates about", which indicates the subject or topic being discussed, ensuring grammatical accuracy and clarity.