engender debate

USAGE SUMMARY

"engender debate" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to create or stimulate discussion or argument about a particular topic. Example: The controversial decision by the government to increase taxes on luxury goods has engendered a heated debate among economists and the general public.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Perhaps, however, such a bill might engender debate and revision — and come back to the House for an old-fashioned House-Senate conference and a possible compromise.

The Washington Post

But the legitimate issues of life's origin and its relation to religious and scientific thought raised by Strick and other authors, such as the Australian Reg Morrison, persist today and will continue to engender debate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The health of our democracy depends on the rule of law and that information publicly available will engender debate and lead to the possibility of accountability, including at the ballot box.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our goal is to frame the questions and to engender debate, not to arbitrate between competing hypotheses.

Genome Biology and Evolution

In recognition of and with due respect to the experts who have had the difficult task of proposing guidelines, our hope with this paper will engender debate and future research on how to optimize a patient's functional recovery post stroke.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

One thing's for sure: this wonderful World Cup has engendered debate, discussion and passion - not only about the drama on the field of play but also off it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Yale is proud of its record in educating leaders and it would be natural to recognize the election of one of our graduates to president of the United States during our tercentennial year," she said, adding: "The selection of a political figure often engenders debate.

The New York Times

This approach engendered debate among Muʿtazilites about the scope of human agency and responsibility.

SEP

("Waiting for the technology" is the new "lost weight for the role").. Some were narrative (minor spoiler alert): Each film engendered debate over whether its ending was too neat.

Los Angeles Times

The need for the adhesive luting of GFPs has engendered debates [41, 43].

Applied Adhesion Science

It considers four dimensions of effectiveness that have engendered debates among scholars or received insufficient scrutiny.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engender debate" when you want to highlight that a particular issue or action is likely to cause discussion and differing viewpoints. For example, "The new policy is expected to "engender debate" among stakeholders."

Common error

While "engender debate" is appropriate for formal writing, avoid it in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "cause discussion" or "spark conversation" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engender debate" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, where "engender" (verb) means to cause or give rise to, and "debate" (noun) signifies a discussion involving differing viewpoints. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "engender debate" is a grammatically correct phrase that means to cause or stimulate discussion, often involving differing viewpoints. While relatively uncommon, it is appropriately used in neutral and formal contexts such as news, scientific publications, and academic writing. Ludwig AI validates its usage and provides example sentences. Semantically related phrases include "spark discussion" and "provoke controversy", each carrying subtly different nuances. When using "engender debate", it's essential to consider the formality of the setting and choose simpler alternatives for casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignite debate

Suggests a more sudden and intense start to the debate.

set off a debate

Similar to 'trigger debate', implies something quickly initiates the discussion.

spark discussion

Focuses on initiating a discussion, differing from "engender debate" by omitting the inherent disagreement.

prompt discussion

Indicates that the discussion is initiated as a direct response.

trigger debate

Emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship, where something immediately starts the debate.

provoke controversy

Highlights the contentious aspect, emphasizing strong disagreement rather than a balanced debate.

generate discussion

A more general term for creating discussion, without necessarily implying conflict.

foster discussion

Implies a nurturing environment for discussion, a more positive connotation than simply "engendering" it.

give rise to debate

Suggests the debate emerges as a consequence or outcome.

stimulate dialogue

Emphasizes a two-way conversation, unlike "engender debate" which can be one-sided.

FAQs

How can I use "engender debate" in a sentence?

You can use "engender debate" to describe something that causes discussion and disagreement, such as "The controversial film is likely to "engender debate" about its themes."

What are some alternatives to "engender debate"?

You can use alternatives like "spark discussion", "provoke controversy", or "foster discussion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "engender debate" and "ignite debate"?

"Ignite debate" suggests a sudden and intense start, while "engender debate" implies a more gradual and potentially longer-lasting process of discussion and disagreement.

Is "engender debate" formal or informal?

"Engender debate" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic writing, news reports, and professional communication. Less formal alternatives exist for casual contexts.